Switch sensing emergency lighting power supply

ABSTRACT

In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for systems and methods that employ a control component and/or power source integrated in an LED based light source to control and/or power the LED light source wirelessly. In embodiments, the LED based light source may take the form of a standard light bulb that plugs into a standard lighting socket or fixture.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the following U.S. patentapplications: this application is a continuation of U.S. applicationSer. No. 13/231,822, filed Sep. 13, 2011 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,415,901);and is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/626,640 filed Nov.26, 2009 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,033,686); which claims the benefit of U.S.Appl. Nos. 61/118,245 and 61/118,257 filed Nov. 26, 2008; U.S. Appl. No.61/150,477 filed Feb. 6, 2009; U.S. Appl. Nos. 61/167,556 and 61/167,655filed Apr. 8, 2009; U.S. Appl. No. 61/186,097 filed Jun. 11, 2009; U.S.Appl. No. 61/234,024, filed Aug. 14, 2009; U.S. Appl. No. 61/246,362filed Sep. 28, 2009; and which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/847,509, filed Aug. 30, 2007; and acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/692,075, filed Mar.27, 2007 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,203,445), which claims the benefit of U.S.application Ser. No. 60/786,636, filed Mar. 28, 2006. The following U.S.patent application are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:U.S. application Ser. Nos. 12/626,640, 61/118,245, 61/150,477,61/167,556, 61/186,097, 61/234,024, and 61/246,362.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention is directed generally to devices and applicationsfor the use of wireless control and wireless power in lighting devices.More particularly, the invention relates to the use of wireless controland wireless power in light emitting diode (LED) based devices primarilyfor illumination purposes.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conservation and management of electrical power are a growing concernwith regard to both cost and environmental impact. In various lightingapplications, the use of light emitting diodes (LEDs) for illuminationis beginning to emerge as a lighting source with potential foraddressing these concerns. LED light sources have a long life, areenergy efficient, are durable and operate over a wide temperature range.While LED lighting is becoming an attractive option for certainapplications, it is not optimal for many applications. Therefore, thereis a need for improved LED lighting systems.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed generally to devices and applicationsrelated to the use of wireless control and wireless power in lightemitting diode (LED) based lighting devices. More particularly, thedevices and applications according to various embodiments of the presentinvention make use of wireless control and wireless power in lightingdevices to provide advantages in ease of installation, in the ability toinstall lighting in locations independent of a connection to wiredpower, in cost savings, in energy efficiency and in the reduction ofenergy consumption at times of peak demand through controls and powermanagement and in safety, security, and convenience for the end user.

Wireless control, as in relation to lighting facilities of the presentinvention, may be defined as any control aspect that provides acontrolling function to the lighting facility without the use of a wiredconnection, such as a wired control interface, wired power control, andthe like. Control aspects may include, but are not limited to, awireless remote control interface (e.g. RF remote control), a wirelesspower controller (e.g. control of the source of power to the LEDs, suchas including integrated energy storage device(s) and AC power), awireless control input (e.g. an environmental sensor input), internalprogrammed control (e.g. internal program store controlled through astate machine or processor), and the like. In embodiments, cost savingsand power management may be implemented through wireless control. Inembodiments, wireless control may enable a distributed intelligencearchitecture where the LED lighting facility may operate in anautonomous manner in response to its wireless control inputs or internalprogram. In embodiment, wireless control may be used in conjunction withwireless power to allow operation of the lighting facility completelyindependent of the power grid.

In some embodiments, wireless control allows the installation of thedevice in any indoor or outdoor location where light may be desiredwithout the need for a wired connection to control it. In someembodiments, wireless control is used in a lighting device with a wiredconnection but allows an alternate method of control of the light ratherthan by its wired connection. In some embodiments, a lighting circuitmay have multiple lights on the circuit, but wireless control built intothe lights on that lighting circuit may allow them to be independentlycontrolled.

Power sources that can be used stand-alone as described herein (i.e. notconnected to a traditional AC power source) are defined as wirelesspower sources. A wireless power source may be an energy storage devicesuch as a non-rechargeable battery, a rechargeable battery, a capacitor,a fuel cell, and the like. A wireless power source may be derived froman energy harvesting method such as using solar cells, capturingradiofrequency energy, converting kinetic energy to electrical energy(including converting motion or tension into electrical energy),converting thermal energy into electrical energy, converting wind energyinto electrical energy, and the like. Multiple wireless power sourcesmay be used together in some embodiments. For example, a light bulb withan integrated rechargeable battery may also contain solar cells on itshousing and the ability to charge the integrated battery accordingly.

In some embodiments, a wireless power source integrated into thelighting device allows the installation of the lighting device in anyindoor or outdoor location where light may be desired without the needfor a wired connection to an AC power source. In other embodiments thereis a wired connection to an AC power source, but the wireless powersource is used when advantageous, for example as a backup power sourcein an emergency or as an alternative power source to provide energyefficiency or cost savings.

The embodiments described for the present invention may use wirelesscontrol and wireless power in conjunction with LEDs as a light sourcefor illumination. In one embodiment, a power uninterruptable LED lightwith sensor-based control for transferring to internal power in theevent of an AC power disruption is described. The power uninterruptableLED light may be designed in a housing type of a bulb, tube, lamp,fixture, retrofit fixture, and the like. The housing may containinternal wireless power in the form of an internal power source such asa rechargeable battery that can be used to power the light source upon adetected AC power disruption. For example, the power uninterruptable LEDlight may be a standard size light bulb that when plugged into astandard light socket acts normally as a light bulb, but in the event ofan AC power disruption may use the internal power source to continueemitting light through the power disruption. Several forms of wirelesscontrol can be used with the disclosed invention including AC powersensing, impedance sensing of the lighting circuit to determine theon/off state of controlling switches, remote control in the form of aradio frequency receiver, sensors built into the housing such as amotion sensor or light sensor, and the like.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to an externallycontrollable LED light in a housing type of a bulb, tube, lamp, fixture,retrofit fixture, and the like, that may receive commands from a powercompany or lighting control software to control the use of the wirelesspower source. For example, a load control switch or demand responsemechanism reducing light intensity may be designed to control lightingto reduce power consumption during periods of peak usage of electricity.In the instance of reducing the intensity of the lights, the presentinvention instead may move the power switched off or reduced by thepower company or lighting control software onto battery power, thusenabling the light to stay at the same intensity level while stillreducing the power consumed from the AC power source. The source of theload control signal is external to the externally controllable LED lightitself. This is “grid shifting” or storing energy from the grid to theintegrated power source at one time and using that stored energy atanother time when it is advantageous. This allows moving on and off ofthe AC power source using the integrated power source as an alternatepower source and the control of that and other functions with externalsignals. In some embodiments, AC power and the integrated power sourcemay be used simultaneously where the load is shared by the powersources. In such a case, the load on the AC power source may be reducedby some amount by transferring some amount of load to the integratedpower source. The externally controllable LED light may also contain anyform of wireless control which can also be controlled by the powercompany or lighting control software to enable, disable or set thefunctionality of the wireless control mechanism.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a wirelesslycontrolled LED light bulb containing an integrated power source wherethe wireless control is through built in sensors, program basedintelligence, remote control based on a communication interfacewirelessly, over the wire, and the like. With wireless control andwireless power integrated, the wirelessly controlled LED light bulb mayoperate autonomously in response to the input devices, internal timers,internal clock and/or internal program. It may have the ability to usethe integrated power source autonomously for grid shifting, loadshedding, independent control of the light sources on a single lightingcircuit, backup power, energy harvesting when an energy harvesting powersource is integrated in the bulb, or any application-specific functionin which an integrated power source may be advantageous.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a wirelesslynetworked LED light with sensor-based control. The wirelessly networkedLED light with sensor-based control may be designed in a housing type ofa bulb, tube, lamp, fixture, retrofit fixture, battery powered fixture,and the like. Building a networking capability into a removable andreplaceable wirelessly networked LED light bulb creates the ability toplug bulbs in such that they become part of the network without runningnew wiring (i.e. a plug and play lighting network). This is enabled bybuilding the ability to receive control and programming over a networkas well as forward or route traffic to other wirelessly networked LEDlights that are part of the network into the lights themselves. If thewirelessly networked LED light is a removable device such as a bulb,tube or lamp, it may be installed as a light source and a node in thelighting network by installing it in a standard socket. Networked bulbs,tubes, lamps, fixtures, retrofit fixtures and battery powered fixturesmay operate in a coordinated fashion, where one or more light sourcesare operating with battery only, battery and AC or AC only power sourcesalong with any control source within the group. In some embodiments, thesource of the control for one or more lights in the group may be one ofthe lights in the group in response to a control input that lightreceived. In addition to coordinating operation, the network may be usedfor communication purposes such that an extensible lighting network canbe installed by installing bulbs, tubes, lamps and battery powerfixtures in existing locations that do not require an electrician fornew wiring or special hardware other than what is contained with thewirelessly networked LED light itself.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a centralized poweroutage system bridged to a networked lighting system. The centralizedpower outage control may come in the form of a module that detects adisruption in the AC power source and transmits to a system of bulbs,tubes, lamps, fixtures, retrofit fixtures, battery powered fixtures, andthe like, to turn on, switch to backup power or change their mode ofoperation in some manner in response to the detected disruption inpower. The power outage module may be connected to an emergency lightingcircuit to transmit control to a networked lighting system when theemergency lighting circuit attempts to turn on emergency lighting. Dueto its integrated power source, a wirelessly controlled and/orwirelessly powered LED light may continue to operate in an emergencysituation as controlled by a power outage control module.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a sensor-basedwirelessly controlled LED light. The sensor-based wirelessly controlledLED light may be designed in a housing type of a bulb, tube, lamp,fixture, retrofit fixture, and the like. In the embodiment, thesensor-based wirelessly controlled LED light is AC powered and containsinput devices and the ability to autonomously respond to the inputdevices. For example, a daylight harvesting LED light bulb may adjustthe light intensity based on the ambient light level detected by a lightsensor built into the bulb. In an alternate version, the light sensor isbuilt into a remote transmitter that may transmit the ambient lightreading directly to one or more sensor-based wirelessly controlled LEDlights that can then adjust the light intensity of the LED light sourcebased on a configured net light that needs to be detected at the lightsensor. The sensor-based wirelessly controlled LED light may have theability to learn from the input devices. For example, a sensor-basedwirelessly controlled LED light with a motion sensor and real time clockbuilt into the device may learn that motion detections will be high at acertain time of the day. An internal program may schedule the light toturn on automatically at that time of day rather than use the motionsensor. The internal program may dynamically change the schedule to movethe time the light turns on automatically to earlier or later timesbased on the motion detection input.

One advantage of the present invention is the ability to buildintelligent lighting systems where wireless control and wireless poweralong with the ability to take advantage of the additional functionalityis built into the light itself. One advantage of the present inventionis the ability to provide battery back-up power within an LED bulb ortube that can fit into conventional AC powered sockets. In someembodiments, these lights are able to provide light in the event ofpower outage, and in other embodiments these lights may be used toreduce demand on the power grid by switching to battery power at peaktimes, then recharging off peak. One advantage of the present inventionis the ability to create programmable light bulbs, tubes or lamps withintegrated sensors. These intelligent lights may contain integratedcontrols that turn on, off, or change light intensity based on aprogrammable schedule, the detection of sensor inputs, or a change inlighting conditions. One advantage of the present invention is theability to communicate controls to and between these LED lightingfacilities. In some embodiments, intelligent lights may contain wirelesstransmitters and receivers allowing them to coordinate functions withingroups of light bulbs or allowing them to receive control andprogramming over a network as well as forward or route traffic to otherlight bulbs that are part of the network. Thus, for example, a removablelight bulb may also act as a node in a network of light bulbs providingthe ability to deploy a lighting installation and a network to controlthe lighting installation by plugging light bulbs into sockets.

It should be appreciated that combinations of the foregoing concepts andadditional concepts discussed in greater detail below are contemplatedas being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. Inparticular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at theend of this disclosure, or elsewhere herein, are contemplated as beingpart of the inventive subject matter.

These and other systems, methods, objects, features, and advantages ofthe present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and thedrawings. All documents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated intheir entirety by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention and the following detailed description of certainembodiments thereof may be understood by reference to the followingfigures:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a wireless lightingmodule.

FIG. 2 shows a simplified schematic view of one embodiment of a wirelesslighting module.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a remote controlfor a wireless light.

FIG. 4 shows a simplified schematic view of one embodiment of a remotecontrol for a wireless light.

FIG. 5 shows a simplified schematic drawing of an RF communicationsystem for controlling a light.

FIG. 6 shows a simplified schematic drawing of an alternative embodimentof a wireless lighting module.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a system that provides illumination witha wireless light.

FIG. 8 shows a methodology that facilitates selectively emitting lightin accordance with a wireless input.

FIG. 9 shows a methodology that facilitates selectively emitting lightbased upon input from a sensor.

FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of an example wireless lighting system.

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of an example wireless lighting systemthat utilizes RF signaling to control lighting.

FIG. 12 shows another block diagram of an example system that provideswireless lighting.

FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of an example system that providesillumination with a wireless light.

FIG. 14 shows a block diagram of an example system that recharges apower source integrated within a wireless light bulb.

FIG. 15 shows a block diagram of an example system that coordinatesoperation of a set of wireless light bulbs.

FIG. 16 shows a methodology that facilitates selectively emitting lightin accordance with a wireless input.

FIG. 17 shows a methodology that facilitates selectively emitting lightbased upon input from a sensor.

FIG. 18 shows an example networking environment, wherein the novelaspects of the claimed subject matter can be employed.

FIG. 19 shows an example operating environment that can be employed inaccordance with the claimed subject matter.

FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a motion wirelesslight bulb.

FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of the recessed fixture version of awireless light bulb.

FIG. 22 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a battery embeddedsolar recharged PAR30 wireless light bulb.

FIG. 23 shows a block diagram of an example system that uses an AC powerand embedded battery power with an intelligent, programmable controller.

FIG. 24 shows a block diagram of an example system that uses an AC powerand embedded battery power with an intelligent, programmable controllerand a grid tie inverter to deliver power to the grid.

FIG. 25 shows a block diagram of an example system that uses anelectronic ballast and embedded battery power in a compact fluorescentlamp with an intelligent, programmable controller.

FIG. 26 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an AC poweredbattery embedded PAR30 wireless light bulb.

FIG. 27 shows a block diagram of example architectures for an on linewireless light bulb.

FIG. 28 shows a block diagram showing an example AC powered supercapacitor embedded wireless light bulb system.

FIG. 29 shows a perspective view of the recessed fixture version of awireless light bulb with an external power supply with battery.

FIG. 30 shows a perspective view of the stair light embodiment of awireless lighting module.

FIG. 31 shows a perspective view of the sensor light embodiment of awireless lighting module.

FIG. 32 shows a use scenario of the stair light as a path light.

FIG. 33 shows a kit description of a fall prevention kit.

FIG. 34 shows a use scenario of the stair light on a deck near the stairto the deck.

FIG. 35 shows a use scenario of three stair lights mounted on a stairway and an RF remote control.

FIG. 36 shows a perspective view of the RF Spotlight embodiment of awireless lighting module.

FIG. 37 shows a perspective view of the RF Ceiling Light embodiment of awireless lighting module.

FIG. 38 shows an embodiment for an uninterruptable lighting facilitywith control, remote control, AC power, and battery.

FIG. 39 shows an embodiment for an uninterruptable lighting facilitywith control, AC power, and removable battery.

FIG. 40 shows an embodiment for an uninterruptable lighting facilitywith input device, impedance, control, AC power, and battery.

FIG. 41 shows an embodiment for an uninterruptable lighting facilitywith a sensor, control, AC power, and removable battery.

FIG. 42 shows an embodiment for an uninterruptable lighting facilitywith sensor, control, AC power, and rechargeable battery.

FIG. 43 shows an embodiment for an uninterruptable lighting facilitywith AC power and rechargeable battery.

FIG. 44 shows an embodiment for an externally controllable light withexternal control with power shifting, internal control, AC power, andbattery.

FIG. 45 shows an embodiment for an externally controllable light withexternal control, internal control, impedance sense, AC power, andbattery.

FIG. 46 shows an embodiment for an externally controllable light withexternal control, internal control, sensor, AC power, and battery.

FIG. 47 shows an embodiment for an externally controllable light withinternal load sharing control, AC power, and battery.

FIG. 48 shows an embodiment for an externally controllable light withexternal control, internal control, sensor, AC power, battery, andnetwork interface.

FIG. 49 shows an embodiment for remote control wireless light withdaylight harvesting, control, and battery.

FIG. 50 shows an embodiment for remote control wireless light withsensor, programmable control, and battery.

FIG. 51 shows an embodiment for remote control wireless light withimpedance sensing, control, programmability, and battery.

FIG. 52 shows an embodiment for remote control wireless light with powermanagement control, programmability, remote, and battery.

FIG. 53 shows an embodiment for remote control wireless light withenergy harvesting, battery, and control.

FIG. 54 shows an embodiment for remote control wireless light with powermanagement control, programmability with learned behavior, remote, andbattery.

FIG. 55 shows an embodiment for remote control wireless light withmotion sensing, AC power, and battery.

FIG. 56 shows an embodiment for remote control wireless light with powermanagement control, programmability with learned behavior, remote, andbattery.

FIG. 57 shows an embodiment for a networked light with sensor input.

FIG. 58 shows an embodiment for a networked light with sensor input andimpedance sensing.

FIG. 59 shows an embodiment for a networked light with sensor input andexternal control source.

FIG. 60 shows an embodiment for a networked light with battery andinternal control source.

FIG. 61 shows an embodiment for a networked light with wireless power,wireless control, and power management.

FIG. 62 shows an embodiment for a centralized power outage light withsensor, outage input, and control.

FIG. 63 shows an embodiment for a centralized power outage light withimpedance sensing, outage input, and control.

FIG. 64 shows an embodiment for a centralized power outage light withsensor, outage input, control, and connection to emergency lightingsystem.

FIG. 65 shows an embodiment for a sensor-based wirelessly controlledlight with wireless control, remote sensor, and power management.

FIG. 66 shows an embodiment for a sensor-based wirelessly controlledlight with daylight harvesting and power management.

FIG. 67 shows an embodiment for a sensor-based wirelessly controlledlight with AC power and programmability through switch settings.

While the invention has been described in connection with certainpreferred embodiments, other embodiments would be understood by one ofordinary skill in the art and are encompassed herein.

All documents referenced herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The claimed subject matter is described with reference to the drawings,wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elementsthroughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the subject innovation. It may be evident, however,that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the subjectinnovation. Moreover, it is to be appreciated that the drawings may notbe to scale.

As utilized herein, terms “component,” “system,” and the like areintended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware,software (e.g., in execution), and/or firmware. For example, a componentcan be a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, anexecutable, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, bothan application running on a server and the server can be a component.One or more components can reside within a process and a component canbe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers.

Furthermore, the claimed subject matter may be implemented as a method,apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware, or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device, carrier, or media. For example, computerreadable media can include but are not limited to magnetic storagedevices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips), optical disks(e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD)), smart cards,and flash memory devices (e.g., card, stick, key drive). Additionally itshould be appreciated that a carrier wave can be employed to carrycomputer-readable electronic data such as those used in transmitting andreceiving electronic mail or in accessing a network such as the Internetor a local area network (LAN). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications may be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the claimed subject matter.Moreover, the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as anexample, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design describedherein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other aspects or designs.

The claimed subject matter is directed to wireless LED lighting. Withreference to FIG. 1, illustrated is a perspective view of one embodimentof a wireless lighting module 100. In the illustrated embodiment, thewireless lighting module 100 includes a housing 110 and a plurality ofLEDs 120. In one embodiment, the wireless lighting module 100 includes16 LEDs. In alternative embodiments, the lighting module may includemore LEDs 120 to provide greater illumination or fewer LEDs 120 to useless power. It is to be appreciated that the wireless lighting module100 can include any number of LEDs 120, and the LEDs 120 can bepositioned at substantially any locations with respect to one another aswell as in comparison to the housing 110.

In one embodiment, the housing 110 is constructed of plastic.Alternatively, the housing 110 can be constructed of metal or any otherknown material. In one embodiment (not shown), the housing 110 includesa mounting device for mounting the wireless lighting module 100 to awall, ceiling, cabinet, or other surface. Exemplary mounting devicesinclude screws, nails, adhesive, suction cups, magnets, VELCRO, fixingposts, flanged heads of fasteners, and other known mounting devices. Inthis embodiment, the housing 110 is configured to be mounted under acabinet or desk, on a mailbox, or on a wall or ceiling of a room,closet, attic, basement, garage, storage area, shed, wall unit, hallway,stairway, emergency exit path, or cabinet, or in any other indoor oroutdoor location where light may be desired. In one embodiment, onewireless lighting module (e.g., the wireless lighting module 100)illuminates an area of 20 square feet. It is to be appreciated that thehousing 110 can be any size and/or shape and is not limited to thedepicted illustration (e.g., the housing 110 can be dome shaped, pyramidshaped, cylindrical.). According to another example, the housing 110 canform a rope light.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the LEDs 120 of the wirelesslighting module 100 are arranged in an array to disperse light over adesired area. In alternative embodiments (not shown), one or more LEDs120 are arranged in a spotlight to focus light over a desired area. Inone embodiment, the LEDs 120 are white. In an alternative embodiment,the LEDs 120 are colored. In such an embodiment, all of the LEDs in thewireless lighting module 100 may be of the same or different colors.When the LEDs in the wireless lighting module 100 are of differentcolors, the relative intensity of the LEDs may be controlled (e.g. viapulse-width modulation, constant current control, variable currentcontrol, or the like) to produce illumination in a variety of mixedcolors. For example, the LEDs may include red, green, and blue LEDs andthe mixed colors may include a substantial number of colors representedin an RGB color wheel of a certain resolution (e.g. 8-bit, 16-bit,24-bit, and so on). Regardless of whether the LEDs are of differentcolors, controlling the intensity of one or more LEDs via pulse-widthmodulation may provide power savings, dimming, and so on.

In the illustrated embodiment, the wireless lighting module 100 furtherincludes a light-transmitting cover 130. In one embodiment, thelight-transmitting cover 130 is transparent. Alternatively, the covermay be colored or frosted. In one embodiment, the light-transmittingcover 130 is smooth. In alternative embodiments, the cover may be etchedor otherwise textured. The light-transmitting cover 130 may have anydesired shape. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the module doesnot include a light-transmitting cover. In another embodiment, thewireless lighting module includes a filter (not shown).

In other embodiments, an optical lens or lenses or reflectors to directthe light, reflect the light or change the viewing angle of the LEDs.The housing of the unit may include any number of optical elements. Theoptical elements may serve to focus, diffuse, filter, collimate, orotherwise affect light produced by the LEDs. In embodiments, the opticalelements may include one or more lenses, reflectors, optical filters,apertures, and so on. The lenses may be fixed, a multiple lens array,adjustable, and so on. The lenses or reflectors may be manuallyadjustable, motorized with direct control with switches on the unit foradjusting the direction or characteristics of the light source,motorized with a remote control for adjusting the direction orcharacteristics of the light source through RF or IR control or it maydetect motion and automatically adjust the lenses or reflectors to aimthe light in the direction of the motion either to illuminate an area oras a deterrent for security reasons or as a deterrent for animals.

FIG. 2 shows a simplified top plan view of the wireless lighting module100, with the housing 110 and light-transmitting cover 130 removed. Asshown in the illustrated embodiment, the wireless lighting module 100includes a power source, such as a battery 210. In alternativeembodiments, the power source may be a solar cell. In one knownembodiment, three “AAA” size alkaline batteries are used as a powersource. In an alternative embodiment, three “C” size alkaline batteriesare used. It should be understood that any number of known batteries maybe used, including without limitation all known alkaline andnickel-cadmium batteries, depending on size and power requirements.According to another example, the power source can be any number andtype of rechargeable batteries and/or non-rechargeable batteries.Pursuant to a further illustration, the power source can be acombination of a solar cell and one or more batteries (e.g.,rechargeable, non-rechargeable.). Thus, for instance, a battery cansupplement the power supplied by the solar cell (or vice versa) and/orthe solar cell can recharge a battery. In some embodiments of theforegoing arrangement, a solar cell may be diode or-ed with a batteryand the battery may be non-rechargeable. In alternate embodiments thepower source may include a fuel cell, such as and without limitation ahydrogen fuel cell, a reformed methanol fuel cell, or the like. Inalternate embodiments, the power source may include a capacitor, arrayof capacitors, super capacitors to store energy to be used as a powersource similar to a battery, and the like.

In some embodiments, the power source may employ any and all forms ofenergy harvesting. Energy harvest may, without limitation, includecapturing radiofrequency energy, converting kinetic energy to electricalenergy (including converting motion or tension into electrical energy),converting thermal energy into electrical energy, converting wind energyinto electrical energy, and so on. In some embodiments, energyharvesting may include collecting light from other light sources andconverting that light into electrical energy. It will be understood thata variety of systems and methods that harvest energy are possible. Inalternate embodiments, the power source may be through wireless powertransmission where a method of wireless power transmission may act asthe power source or in combination with the other power sourcesmentioned herein (e.g. rechargeable batteries, capacitors, and the like)to provide power to the module.

Power sources that can be used stand alone as described herein (i.e. notconnected to a traditional AC power source) are defined as wirelesspower. A wireless power source allows the installation of the wirelesslighting module 100 in any indoor or outdoor location where light may bedesired without the need for a wired connection to an AC power source.

As shown, the battery 210 is electrically connected to the LEDs 120 toprovide power for the light output. The battery 210 is also connected toa receiver 220 configured to receive a data stream. In one embodiment,the receiver 220 is configured to receive a data stream in the form ofRF signals and is further configured to output data to logic 230. In oneembodiment, the receiver 220 is configured to receive data at up to 100kbps and has a receive sensitivity of as little as −115 dBm. In analternative embodiment, the receiver 220 is configured to receive IRsignals.

In one embodiment, the receiver 220 includes an integrated processor(not shown). The integrated processor of the receiver 220 is separatefrom the logic 230 of the wireless lighting module 100. The integratedprocessor is configured to convert an RF or IR data stream to digitaldata output. The integrated processor may be an integrated circuit, amicroprocessor, or other known processor. For example, the receiver 220may be a commercially available MAXIM MAX1470 RF Integrated Circuit300-450 MHz ASK Superheterodyne receiver.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the battery 210 is also connected tothe logic 230. The logic 230 is configured to monitor data received bythe receiver 220. In one embodiment, described above, the receiver 220outputs digital data. In an alternative embodiment, the receiver 220outputs analog data and the logic 230 is configured to convert theanalog data to digital data. The logic 230 is configured to detectspecific sequences of data, such as commands and channel data, as willbe described in more detail below. In response to the sequences of data,the logic 230 may control the LEDs 120 as described herein andelsewhere. In some embodiments, the sequences of data may originate fromor relate to the output of a sensor. The logic 230 may be an integratedcircuit, a microprocessor, or any known type of processor. For example,the logic 230 may be a commercially available FREESCALE SemiconductorMC68HC908QT microcontroller. Embodiments of the logic 230 may beprogrammable so that control of the LEDs 120, responses to sequences ofdata, and other programmable functions may be field programmable,end-user programmable, added and removed after market, added and removedby an OEM, and so on.

In one embodiment, the logic 230 employs a power sequencing algorithm toconserve power. In this embodiment, the logic 230 stays in a“hibernation” mode to conserve power. The logic 230 is activated a fewtimes per second to monitor the receiver 220. If the logic 230 detectsoutput from the receiver 220, the logic 230 reads the data and executescommands according to a protocol described below. If the logic 230 doesnot detect output from the receiver 220, it returns to hibernation mode.

The logic 230 is also in electric communication with the LEDs 120. Thelogic 230 maintains the on/off state of the LEDs 120. Additionally, thelogic 230 may be configured to control the brightness of the LEDs 120.In one embodiment, the logic 230 is configured to turn off the LEDs 120after a predetermined amount of time to conserve power. The logic 230 isalso configured to control pulse width modulation to extend batterylife.

In one embodiment, the LEDs 120 are color changing LEDs and the logic230 is configured to control the color emitted by the LEDs 120. In oneembodiment (not shown), when more than one wireless lighting module isemployed, the modules may be synchronized such that the logic of eachmodule changes the light color at the same time or according to a userpreference.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a remotecontrol 300 for a wireless lighting module (e.g., the wireless lightingmodule 100 of FIG. 1). The remote control 300 includes a housing 310. Inone embodiment (not shown), the housing 310 is configured to be attachedto a keychain. In another embodiment (not shown), the housing 310 isconfigured to be mounted to a wall.

In the illustrated embodiment, the remote control 300 includes a button320 configured to receive user input. Here, the button 320 receives anon/off toggle command. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), theremote control 300 includes a plurality of buttons. The additionalbuttons may be configured to receive a separate “on” command and “off”command. The additional buttons may also be configured to receive a“dim” or “brightness” command or a color changing command. In anotheralternative embodiment (not shown), the remote control 300 furtherincludes a DIP switch for receiving a channel number. In otheralternative embodiments (not shown), the remote control 300 employsdials, toggle switches, levers, knobs, buttons, or any other appropriatecontrols to receive user input. According to another example, the remotecontrol 300 can utilize a touch panel for obtaining user input.

The remote control 300 further includes a transmitter 330 configured totransmit a signal. In one embodiment, the transmitter 330 is an RFtransmitter. In an alternative embodiment, the transmitter 330 is an IRtransmitter. In one embodiment, the transmitter 330 includes anintegrated processor (not shown), such as a MAXIM MAX 1472 RF IntegratedCircuit 300-450 MHz ASK transmitter and is configured to transmit dataat up to 100 kbps. According to another illustration, the remote control300 can include a transceiver that can receive data from a wirelesslighting module as well as transmit data to the wireless lightingmodule. In some embodiments, the remote control 300 may transmit at auser-selected radio frequency or at a predetermined radio frequency withany and all types of encoding or modulation. It will be understood thatthe radio frequency may include UHF, VHF, ISM band, and so on.Furthermore, it will be understood that a variety of types of encodingor modulation are possible. For example and without limitation, theremote control 300 may function in accordance with WIFI, ZIGBEE,BLUETOOTH, or the like. For another example and without limitation, theremote control 300 may function substantially as an RFID tag. Inembodiments, the remote control 300 may be handheld, wall mounted (e.g.as a switch or the like that is battery powered or AC powered from aswitch plate), and so on.

FIG. 4 illustrates a simplified top plan view of a remote control 300with a housing 310 removed. The remote control 300 includes a powersource, such as a battery 410. In one embodiment, the battery 410 is aCR2032 coin cell battery. In alternative embodiments, any number of anyknown type of battery may be used. The battery is electrically connectedto and supplies power to the transmitter 330.

In the illustrated embodiment, the battery 410 is also connected to andsupplies power to logic 420. The logic 420 is configured to monitor aswitch (not shown) connected to the button 320. The logic 420 is furtherconfigured to build and send a control message to the transmitter 330.In one embodiment, the logic 420 sends a digital control message to thetransmitter 330. An integrated circuit (not shown) of the transmitter330 then converts the digital control message to an analog controlmessage for transmission as an RF signal. In an alternative embodiment,the transmitter 330 is configured to transmit a digital RF signal. Inanother alternative embodiment, the logic 420 sends an analog controlmessage to the transmitter 330.

In one embodiment, the logic 420 is configured to recognize an on/offtoggle command. The logic 420 receives the on/off toggle command when auser presses the button 320. In another embodiment (not shown), thelogic 420 is configured to recognize a separate “on” command and “off”command. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the logic 420 isconfigured to recognize a “dim” or “brightness” command or a “colorchange” command. When the logic 420 receives a command, the logic 420outputs a control message containing the command and a channel number.In one embodiment, the logic 420 receives the channel number from a userinput device. In an alternative embodiment, the logic 420 looks up thechannel number in a memory (not shown). In another alternativeembodiment, the processor generates a random number to use as a channelnumber.

FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing of one embodiment of a remote control 500in communication with a wireless lighting module 510. In the illustratedembodiment, the user selects a channel number on the remote control 500through a channel number input 520. Exemplary channel number inputs 520include DIP switches, buttons, dials, knobs, a keypad, an LEDtouch-screen, or any other known input device. In an alternativeembodiment, a user may select more than one channel number tocommunicate with a plurality of wireless lighting modules. In otheralternative embodiments, the channel number may be preprogrammed,randomly generated, or previously stored in a memory. The user thenenters a command through a command input 530. Exemplary command inputs530 include buttons, switches, dials, knobs, a keypad, an LEDtouch-screen, or any other known input device. The command may be an“on/off” toggle command, an “on” command, an “off” command, a “dim”command, a “brightness” command, a “color change” command, or a timercommand.

After a user inputs a command through the command input 530, logic 540encodes the channel number and the command and instructs an RFtransmitter 550 to transmit an RF signal that includes the encodedchannel number and command. In one embodiment, the RF transmitter 550transmits RF signals at a frequency of 433 MHz. In alternativeembodiments, the RF transmitter may transmit at a userselected-frequency or at any predetermined frequency.

In one embodiment, the RF signal is transmitted once. In an alternativeembodiment, the RF signal is transmitted a predetermined number oftimes, or for a predetermined time period. If more than one RF signal istransmitted, each transmission may be separated by a predeterminedinterval.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, the wireless lighting module 510includes an RF receiver 560 that monitors for RF signals at apredetermined frequency. In one embodiment, the RF receiver 560periodically monitors for RF signals. In an alternative embodiment, theRF receiver 560 continuously monitors for RF signals. When an RF signalis received, the signal is transmitted to logic 570, where the signal isdecoded. In one embodiment, the logic 570 reads the decoded channelnumber and compares the decoded channel number to a module channelnumber. The module channel number may be selected by a user via achannel input device (not shown), or it may be pre-programmed.

If the decoded channel number matches the module channel number, thelogic 570 processes the decoded command. For example, if the command isan on/off toggle command, the logic 570 will instruct an LED controller580 to toggle a plurality of LEDs 590. If the command is an “on”command, the logic 570 will determine if the plurality of LEDs 590 arein an “on” state. If the LEDs 590 are not in an “on” state, the logic570 will instruct the LED controller 580 to activate the plurality ofLEDs 590.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the RF transmitter 550 and theRF receiver 560 are replaced with RF transceivers, thus allowing two-waycommunication. In this embodiment, the remote control is programmed torepeatedly transmit a command signal until a confirmation signal isreceived. Additionally, the lighting module is programmed to transmit aconfirmation signal upon receipt of an RF signal, or upon a decodedchannel number matching a module channel number. According to anotherexample, RF transceivers can enable providing the remote control 500with feedback concerning a state associated with the wireless lightingmodule 510 (e.g., whether the LEDs 590 are in an “on” state, an “off”state, a color of the LEDs 590, an intensity of the LEDs 590.), batterylife, and so forth. Moreover, RF transceivers can allow the wirelesslighting module 510 to communicate with disparate wireless lightingmodule(s) (e.g., to repeat signals).

FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of an alternative embodiment of a wirelesslighting module 600. In this embodiment, the wireless lighting module600 is not controlled by a remote control, but is insteadmotion-controlled. The wireless lighting module 600 includes a passiveinfrared sensor 610 configured to detect motion. In one embodiment, thepassive infrared sensor 610 has a range of approximately 5 feet and aviewing angle of 110 degrees. In alternative embodiments, the passiveinfrared sensor 610 may have a range and viewing angle of any knownpassive infrared sensor. In one alternative embodiment, the passiveinfrared sensor 610 is removably connected to the wireless lightingmodule 600 so that a user may connect any appropriate sensor. In someembodiments, the passive infrared sensor 610 may be replaced or enhancedby a radar sensor, an ultrasound sensor, or any and all other form ofmotion sensor.

In embodiments, any and all sensors may include a detection threshold orfalse detection rate that can be configured according to a user'spreference. For example and without limitation, a light sensor may beconfigured to detect when incoming light crosses a user-preferredintensity threshold. A variety of other such examples will beappreciated, all of which are within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

In embodiments, a Fresnel lens may enable motion detection. Some motiondetectors may include a Fresnel lens that guides infrared light over apyroelectric material in a substantially repeating pattern as a heatsource (such as a person, vehicle, and so on) passes in front of thelens. In embodiments, the Fresnel lens may be selected to provide adesired zone of coverage. It will be understood that a variety ofembodiments of motion detectors including the Fresnel lens are possible.

With continued reference to FIG. 6, when the passive infrared sensor 610detects motion, logic 620 determines if the motion is above apredetermined threshold. If the motion is above the predeterminedthreshold, the logic 620 instructs an LED controller 630 to turn on atleast one LED 640. After the at least one LED 640 is turned on, thelogic 620 starts a timer. The logic 620 will then instruct the LEDcontroller 630 to turn off the at least one LED 640 if no motion isdetected before the timer reaches a predetermined threshold.

The wireless lighting module 600 further includes at least one battery650. The battery 650 supplies power to the logic 620, the LED controller630, the at least one LED 640, and any other additional electriccomponents. Further, the battery 650 can supply power to the passiveinfrared sensor 610. In one embodiment, the at least one battery 650includes 3 “AAA” alkaline batteries. In an alternative embodiment, theat least one battery 650 includes 3 “C” alkaline batteries. In otherembodiments, the at least one battery 650 may be any number of knownbatteries, including without limitation all known alkaline andnickel-cadmium batteries. It is to be appreciated that any number andtype of rechargeable and/or non-rechargeable batteries can be utilizedin connection with the claimed subject matter.

With reference to FIG. 7, illustrated is a block diagram of a system 700that provides illumination with a wireless light. System 700 includes awireless lighting module 702 that can further comprise an interfacecomponent 704, a battery 706, an LED controller 708, LEDs 710, and/orlogic 712. The wireless lighting module 702 can be incorporated into ahousing (not shown). It is contemplated that any size and/or shapehousing can be employed with the wireless lighting module 702. Accordingto another illustration, the housing can include at least a portion thatis moveable (e.g., manually by a user, automatically with a motor or thelike) to allow for directing emitted light. For example, a remotecontrol can provide a signal to manipulate a moveable portion of thehousing. Moreover, the housing can orient the LEDs 710 in substantiallyany manner to provide general lighting (e.g., illuminating an indoor oroutdoor area), task lighting (e.g., reading), accent lighting, and soforth.

The interface component 704 can receive an input from a disparate device(e.g., the remote control 500 of FIG. 5, the passive infrared sensor 610of FIG. 6). The interface component 704 can provide various adaptors,connectors, channels, communication paths, etc. to enable interactionwith the disparate device. Pursuant to an illustration, the input can bewirelessly transmitted (e.g., via an RF signal, an IR signal) from thedisparate device to the interface component 704; thus, the interfacecomponent 704 can be a receiver and/or a transceiver that obtains thewirelessly transferred signal. By way of example, an infrared sensor ormotion sensor can monitor occupancy in an environment and, upondetecting presence within the monitored environment, the sensor cantransmit a wireless input to the interface component 704. It is to beappreciated that any type of sensors can be utilized in connection withthe claimed subject matter such as, but not limited to, infraredsensors, light sensors, proximity sensors, acoustic sensors, motionsensors, carbon monoxide and/or smoke detectors, thermal sensors,electromagnetic sensors, mechanical sensors, pressure sensors, chemicalsensors, and the like. According to another example, any type of remotecontrol can wirelessly communicate with the interface component 704. Forinstance, the remote control can be a stand-alone remote control (e.g.,the remote control 300 of FIG. 3) and/or incorporated into a disparatedevice (e.g., incorporated into a key fob, a programmable wirelesstransceiver integrated in an automobile.). Moreover, the remote controlcan be a personal computer, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a laptop, ahandheld communication device, a handheld computing device, a globalpositioning system, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and/or any othersuitable device; such devices can communicate directly with theinterface component 704 and/or via a network (e.g., local area network(LAN), wide area network (WAN), cellular network). In accord withanother example, radio frequency identification (RFID) can be utilizedto provide the input to the interface component 704. As such, an RFIDtag associated with a user can be detected when in range of theinterface component 704, and lighting preferences of the particular user(e.g., retained in memory) can be effectuated in response to his or herdetected presence.

Additionally or alternatively, the interface component 704 can be asensor that can monitor a condition associated with the wirelesslighting module 702 to generate the input. According to another example,the interface component 704 can be a connector, port, etc. that couplesto such sensor.

Further, the interface component 704 can wirelessly transmit data (e.g.,feedback, related to a current and/or anticipated future state) to aremote device and/or sensor. By way of another example, the interfacecomponent 704 can wirelessly communicate with an interface component ofa disparate wireless lighting module to enable coordinated operationbetween more than one wireless lighting module. Following this example,an input can be retransmitted within a network of wireless lightingmodules, where the network of lighting modules can be dispersed within ageographic area.

An interface component 704 integrated into the wireless lighting module702 that allows it to be used stand alone, a sensor on the wirelesslighting module 702 used for input or by a remote control that providesinput wirelessly to the wireless lighting module 702, as describedherein (i.e. not connected by wire to the wireless lighting module 702)is defined as wireless control. Wireless control allows the installationof the wireless lighting module 702 in any indoor or outdoor locationwhere light may be desired without the need for a wired connection tocontrol it.

The battery 706 can be any number and/or type of battery. For instance,the battery 706 can be a rechargeable battery. According to anotherexample, the battery 706 can be a non-rechargeable battery. The battery706 supplies power to the wireless lighting module 702 to enableinstalling, moving, replacing, etc. the wireless lighting module 702 atsubstantially any indoor or outdoor location while mitigating the needfor expensive and time consuming wiring and/or utilization ofaesthetically unpleasing and potentially inconvenient cords commonlyassociated with conventional lighting.

The LED controller 708 can obtain instructions from the logic 712 tocontrol operation of the LEDs 710. The LED controller 708, for example,can receive and effectuate instructions to switch one or more LEDs 710on and/or off, change an intensity of illumination (e.g., brightness),switch a wavelength of light emitted from the LEDs 710 (e.g., to changelight color), manipulate direction of illumination (e.g., by moving,rotating, etc. one or more of the LEDs 710) and the like. Further, it iscontemplated that any number, type, color, arrangement, etc. of LEDs 710can be utilized with the wireless lighting module 702.

The logic 712 employs the input obtained by the interface component 704.The logic 712 can further include a state modification component 714, atimer component 716, an intensity regulation component 718, and/or awavelength control component 720; however, it is to be appreciated thatthe logic 712 can include a subset of these components 714-720. Thestate modification component 714 utilizes the input obtained via theinterface component 704 to generate an instruction to change a state ofone of more of the LEDs 710. The state modification component 714effectuates transitioning one or more LEDs 710 to an on state, an offstate, etc. Further, the state modification component 714 can yieldcommands to strobe one or more LEDs 710 (e.g., periodically turningLED(s) 710 on and off with substantially any periodicity). According toan example, the state modification component 714 can decipher that areceived input pertains to one or more of the LEDs 710. Moreover, thestate modification component 714 can analyze the input to determinewhether to instruct the LED controller 708 to change the state (e.g.,compare an input from a sensor to a threshold, evaluate whether acondition has been met, based upon retrieved instructions correspondingto the input retained in memory.).

The timer component 716 can operate in conjunction with the statemodification component 714. For instance, the timer component 716 canenable delaying state changes. Thus, turning the LEDs 710 on or off canbe delayed for an amount of time by the timer component 716. Further,the amount of time for the delay can be predetermined, randomlyselected, included with the input obtained by the interface component704 (e.g., based on a number of times a button of a remote control isdepressed), etc. According to another example, the timer component 716can conserve battery life by enabling the state modification component714 to switch the LEDs 710 to an off state at a particular time of day,after an elapsed amount of time subsequent to an input that turned theLEDs 710 to the on state, and so forth. Pursuant to anotherillustration, the timer component 716 can operate in conjunction withthe intensity regulation component 718 and/or the wavelength controlcomponent 720 described below.

The intensity regulation component 718 can alter the intensity (e.g.,brightness) of the LEDs 710 based upon the received input from theinterface component 704. The intensity can be changed by the intensityregulation component 718 adjusting a proportion of LEDs 710 in an onstate to LEDs 710 in an off state. Additionally or alternatively, theintensity regulation component 718 can control the intensity of lightemitted by each of the LEDs 710. According to an example, the interfacecomponent 704 can obtain RFID related input that identifies the presenceof a particular user, and this user can have lighting preferences storedin memory (not shown) associated with the wireless lighting module 702.Following this example, the particular user's preferences may indicatethat she desires the LEDs 710 to be dimly lit, which can be effectuatedby the intensity regulation component 718. Pursuant to another example,upon a smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector sensing smoke orcarbon monoxide, respectively, the intensity regulation component 718can increase the brightness of the illumination of the LEDs 710 to ahighest level (e.g., while the state modification component 714 canstrobe the LEDs 710, the wavelength control component 720 can change thecolor). It is to be appreciated, however, that the claimed subjectmatter is not limited to the aforementioned examples.

The wavelength control component 720 can change the wavelength (e.g.,color) of light generated by the LEDs 710 as a function of the inputobtained by the interface component 704. For example, the LEDs 710 canbe color changing LEDs, and the wavelength control component 720 canyield commands to adjust the color based upon the input obtained by theinterface component 704. By way of another example, the LEDs 710 caninclude subsets of LEDs that yield differing colors, and the wavelengthcontrol component 720 can select which of the LEDs 710 to turn to the onstate to yield the desired color.

FIGS. 8-9 illustrate methodologies in accordance with the claimedsubject matter. For simplicity of explanation, the methodologies aredepicted and described as a series of acts. It is to be understood andappreciated that the subject innovation is not limited by the actsillustrated and/or by the order of acts, for example acts can occur invarious orders and/or concurrently, and with other acts not presentedand described herein. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts may berequired to implement the methodologies in accordance with the claimedsubject matter. In addition, those skilled in the art will understandand appreciate that the methodologies could alternatively be representedas a series of interrelated states via a state diagram or events.

With reference to FIG. 8, illustrated is a methodology 800 thatfacilitates selectively emitting light in accordance with a wirelessinput. At 802, an input can be wirelessly received to controlillumination of an array of LEDs powered by a battery. The input can beobtained from any type of source (e.g., remote control, disparatewireless lighting module, differing device, sensor). Moreover, the inputcan be provided from the source via an RF signal, an IR signal, and soforth. At 804, the input can be analyzed to determine whether to alterthe illumination of the array of LEDs. For example, if the inputprovides a command to change the LEDs to an on state while the LEDs arecurrently in an off state, an instruction can be yielded to change theLEDs to the on state. According to another illustration, an amount ofelapsed time can be tracked to identify when to effectuate a change inillumination. At 806, the illumination of the array of LEDs can beselectively adjusted based on the analyzed input. For example, LEDs canbe transitioned to a differing state (e.g., turned on, turned off),intensity of LEDs can be altered, color emitted can be changed, and soforth.

Now referring to FIG. 9, illustrated is a methodology 900 thatfacilitates selectively emitting light based upon input from a sensor.At 902, a condition within an environment can be monitored. Thecondition can relate to motion, presence, pressure, temperature,location, sound, chemicals, light, or any condition that can be trackedwith a sensor. At 904, a determination can be effectuated relating towhether to alter illumination of an array of LEDs powered by a batterybased upon the monitored condition. For example, the determination canbe made by comparing the monitored condition to a threshold. Moreover, acurrent state associated with the array of LEDs can be evaluated todetermine whether a change in illumination should be effectuated. At906, the illumination of the array of LEDs can be selectively alteredbased on the monitored condition. Thus, for example, LEDs can betransitioned to an on state when motion is detected. By way of furtherillustration, the LEDs can be turned off when no motion is detected(e.g., for more than a predetermined amount of time).

Turning to FIG. 10, illustrated is a block diagram of a wirelesslighting system 1000. The wireless lighting system 1000 includes awireless light bulb 1002 that can mechanically couple to any type offixture 1004. The fixture 1004 can be any size, shape, type, etc. oflighting fixture that can include any size, shape, type, etc. of socketwith which the wireless light bulb 1002 can physically connect. Pursuantto an illustration, the fixture 1004 can be a free-standing or portablefixture, a recessed fixture, a surface mounted fixture, a sconce, atrack light fixture, a pendant light fixture, an outdoor fixture (e.g.,pole mounted, stanchion mounted, pathway lighting fixture), a lamp, andso forth. Thus, for example, the fixture 1004 can include an Edisonsocket and the wireless light bulb 1002 can comprise a screw base thatcan be physically coupled with the Edison socket of the fixture 1004.Further, the wireless light bulb 1002 can include any type, size, shape,etc. of fitting that can be compatible with a corresponding socket ofthe fixture 1004 (e.g., the fitting can include a screw base, a bayonet(push twist) base, wedge base, locking base, pin base). Moreover, it iscontemplated that the wireless light bulb 1002 and the fixture 1004 canbe electrically coupled when mechanically coupled and/or the wirelesslight bulb 1002 and the fixture 1004 can be mechanically coupled withoutelectrical coupling.

The wireless light bulb 1002 can further include a light source 1006, apower source 1008, a control component 1010 and/or an input component1012 (e.g., the light source 1006, the power source 1008, the controlcomponent 1010 and/or the input component 1012 can be integrated into ahousing (not shown) of the wireless light bulb 1002). The light source1006 can be any type, number, size, shape, etc. of lamp. For example,the light source 1006 can be one or more of incandescent, halogen, gasdischarge, fluorescent, compact fluorescent, fiber optic, induction,light emitting diode (LED), etc. source(s). According to anillustration, the light source 1006 can include a plurality of LEDs thatcan be positioned at substantially any location with respect to oneanother. Following this illustration, the plurality of LEDs can bearranged in an array that can disperse light over a desired area;however, the claimed subject matter is not so limited. By way of anotherexample, the wireless light bulb 1002 can include a housing (not shown)constructed of plastic, metal, and/or substantially any matter. Forinstance, at least a portion of the housing can enable light emitted bythe light source 1006 to pass through it (e.g., at least a portion ofthe housing can be a light-transmitting material that can betransparent, translucent, frosted, colored). Additionally oralternatively, light generated by the light source 1006 need nottraverse through the housing (e.g., the light source 1006 can bepositioned upon the surface of the housing and/or the light need notpropagate through a light-transmitting cover).

Further, the power source 1008 can be coupled to the light source 1006(and/or disparate components of the wireless light bulb 1002) to supplypower for operation of the light source 1006 (and/or the disparatecomponents). For instance, the power source 1008 can provide directcurrent (DC) power to the light source 1006 (and/or disparate componentsof the wireless light bulb 1002). According to an example, the powersource 1008 can be one or more batteries. For instance, the power source1008 can be any number, size, and type of rechargeable (e.g.,nickel-cadmium) and/or non-rechargeable (e.g., alkaline) batteries.Pursuant to a further illustration, the power source 1008 can be a solarcell. Moreover, the power source 1008 can be a combination of a solarcell and one or more batteries. Thus, for instance, a battery cansupplement power supplied by the solar cell (or vice versa) and/or thesolar cell can recharge a battery. In accordance with a furtherillustration, the power source 1008 can wirelessly obtain power (e.g.,to be utilized directly, employed to recharge batteries); for instance,power can be wirelessly delivered to the power source 1008 viacollecting RF energy from the environment, electromagnetic induction,wave coupling, converting motion or heat to electrical energy, and thelike.

In some embodiments, the power source 1008 may includealternating-current circuitry, including an AC/DC converter or a batteryrecharging circuit. The AC/DC converter may include a capacitor/diodebridge, a fly back converter, or a constant current circuit, and so on.It will be understood that a variety of AC/DC converters are possible.

By way of an example, the wireless light bulb 1002 can physically couplewith the fixture 1004 to support the wireless light bulb 1002 in aparticular position, yet electrical current need not flow between thefixture 1004 and the wireless light bulb 1002. Thus, the fixture 1004can be installed at substantially any location without needing to supplypower (e.g., via hard-wiring the fixture 1004); hence, the fixture 1004can be physically placed, secured, mounted, installed, etc. in a localewithout being hard-wired to a power source. In contrast, conventionaltechniques oftentimes employ hard-wired fixtures that can providealternating current (AC) power to light bulbs coupled therewith.

According to another illustration, the fixture 1004 can provide AC powerthat can be leveraged by the wireless light bulb 1002 in addition to orinstead of the power source 1008. For example, the wireless light bulb1002 can lack the power source 1008 integrated therein, and the AC powerfrom the fixture 1004 can power the wireless light bulb 1002.Additionally or alternatively, the wireless light bulb 1002 can includethe power source 1008, and the power source 1008 can be a battery backupfor the wireless light bulb 1002, for instance. Thus, upon detecting anAC power outage, the wireless light bulb 1002 can switch to utilizingthe power source 1008 (e.g., one or more batteries) to supply power tothe wireless light bulb 1002.

The wireless light bulb 1002 further includes the control component 1010that manages operation of the light source 1006. For instance, thecontrol component 1010 can switch the light source 1006 to an on stateand/or an off state. Moreover, the control component 1010 can alterintensity, brightness, color (e.g., wavelength, frequency), etc. of thelight yielded by the light source 1006.

The input component 1012 can obtain any type of input signal that can beleveraged by the control component 1010 to manipulate operation of thelight source 1006. Thus, the input component 1012 can be a radiofrequency (RF) receiver that can obtain an RF signal communicated froman RF transmitter (not shown) that can be utilized by the controlcomponent 1010 to control operation of the light source 1006. Accordingto this example, the RF signal can be deciphered by the controlcomponent 1010 to effectuate switching the light source 1006 to an on oroff state, changing a light color or a light intensity provided by thelight source 1006, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, theinput component 1012 can be one or more sensors that monitor acondition, and monitored information yielded by such sensor(s) can beutilized to effectuate adjustments associated with the light source1006. According to another example, the input component 1012 can be aconnector, port, etc. that couples to a disparate device, sensor, etc.to receive the input signal.

According to an example, the light source 1006, the power source 1008,the control component 1010 and the input component 1012 can beintegrated into the housing of the wireless light bulb 1002. Thus, thewireless light bulb 1002 can be mechanically coupled with the fixture1004 and the wireless light bulb 1002 can be utilized regardless whetherthe fixture 1004 provides power (e.g., AC power and/or DC power).Moreover, conventional lighting systems can include a typical light bulbthat can couple with an adapter that can sense motion, where the adaptercan further couple to a socket of a light fixture, for example; however,such common sensors are oftentimes not integrated into the light bulb(e.g., due to a typical light bulb lifespan) and rather are stand alonedevices. Pursuant to another illustration, the light source 1006, thecontrol component 1010 and the input component 1012 can be integratedinto the housing of the wireless light bulb 1002, and power (e.g., ACpower) can be provided from the fixture 1004 when coupled thereto.

The housing of the wireless light bulb 1002 or the light source 1006 mayinclude any number of optical elements. The optical elements may serveto focus, diffuse, filter, collimate, or otherwise affect light producedby the light source 1006. In embodiments, the optical elements mayinclude one or more lenses, reflectors, optical filters, apertures, andso on. The lenses may be fixed, a multiple lens array, adjustable, andso on. In some embodiments, the optical elements may be electricallyadjustable. For example, an electric motor may be coupled to theaperture in order to adjust the aperture in response to a control signal(e.g. an RF signal, an IR signal, a signal generated by a logic circuit,and so on). For another example, the lens may be a liquid lens whosefocus can be changed by direct application of an electrical potential.Generally, the direction, brightness, beam characteristics, or the likeof the wireless light bulb 1002 may be variably affected by the opticalelements that are responsive to the control signals. Numerous other suchexamples will be readily appreciated, and all such examples are withinthe scope of the present disclosure.

The following provides an illustration related to the wireless lightingsystem 1000. For instance, any type of fixture 1004 can be obtained andinstalled at substantially any location without needing to wire thefixture 1004. Rather, the fixture 1004 can be mounted, positioned, etc.and can thereafter be utilized to physically hold the wireless lightbulb 1002. Therefore, if a fixture is lacking in a particular locationwhere substantial difficulty can be encountered in connection withwiring the fixture to provide power thereto if installed, the fixturecan instead be physically placed, mounted, attached, etc. in thelocation without electrically wiring the fixture (and/or withoutelectrically wiring a switch to control operation of the fixture).Moreover, the wireless light bulb 1002 can be mechanically coupled tothe fixture 1004 (e.g., a fitting of the wireless light bulb 1002 can beattached to a socket of the fixture 1004) and can leverage the powersource 1008 (e.g., one or more batteries) and input component 1012incorporated therein as described above.

Turning to FIG. 11, illustrated is a block diagram of a wirelesslighting system 1100 that utilizes RF signaling to control lighting. Thesystem 1100 includes the wireless light bulb 1002, which can furthercomprise the light source 1006 (e.g., LED(s)), the power source 1008,and the control component 1010 as described above (e.g., which can beintegrated in the wireless light bulb 1002). Moreover, the wirelesslight bulb 1002 can include an RF receiver 1102 that can obtain a datastream of RF signals that can be decoded and employed by the controlcomponent 1010.

The RF receiver 1102 can monitor for RF signals at a predeterminedfrequency. For instance, the RF receiver 1102 can periodically monitorfor RF signals. Alternatively, the RF receiver 1102 can continuouslymonitor for RF signals. When an RF signal is received, the signal can bedecoded (e.g., by the control component 1010, a processor (not shown)).

The RF receiver 1102 can receive RF signals communicated by a remotecontrol 1104. The remote control 1104 can be positioned at substantiallyany location (e.g., within range of the RF receiver 1102). Moreover, theremote control 1104 can be employed by a user to operate the wirelesslight bulb 1002 from a distance. For instance, the remote control 1104can be located at the top of a stairway and can transmit RF signals tothe wireless light bulb 1002 positioned at the bottom of the stairway,where the wireless light bulb 1002 can be mechanically coupled to afixture located downstairs with or without electrical coupling to apower source (e.g., AC power source). The remote control 1104 canfurther include a command input component 1106 and an RF transmitter1108. Moreover, although not depicted, it is contemplated that theremote control 1104 can include a power source (e.g., one or morebatteries). It is also contemplated that the remote control can use ACpower as its power source. For example, the remote control functioncould be a replacement for a traditional light switch such that insteadof a toggle switch that makes or breaks AC power to a socket or fixture,the remote control is a wall switch plate that replaces the traditionallight switch plate and contains an AC to DC circuit along with an RFtransmitter that controls a wireless light bulb with an RF receiver asan input component.

According to an example, the remote control 1104 can be attachable to asurface such as a wall. Pursuant to another illustration, the remotecontrol 1104 can be attachable to a keychain. However, it iscontemplated that the claimed subject matter is not limited to theaforementioned examples.

The command input component 1106 can be one or more buttons, dials,toggles, switches, levers, knobs, an LED touch screen, a keypad, or anysuch controls that can obtain user input commands. According to anotherillustration, the command input component 1106 can be a touch screendevice with which a user can interact. The command input component 1106can receive commands to switch the light source 1006 on, switch thelight source 1006 off, toggle whether the light source 1006 is on oroff, dim or brighten light generated by the light source 1006, changethe color of the light yielded by the light source 1006, and so forth.

Moreover, the RF transmitter 1108 can transfer command(s) obtained viathe command input component 1106 to the RF receiver 1102 of the wirelesslight bulb 1002. It is contemplated, however, that an infrared (IR)receiver and transmitter can be employed in addition to or instead ofthe RF receiver 1102 and RF transmitter 1108. Moreover, it is to beappreciated that the RF receiver 1102 and/or RF transmitter 1108 can betransceivers that can receive and transmit data. Such transceivers canenable two-way communication. Thus, for instance, the remote control1104 can be configured to repeatedly transmit a command signal until aconfiguration signal is received from the wireless light bulb 1002.Additionally, the wireless light bulb 1002 can transmit a confirmationsignal upon receipt of an RF signal. According to another example, RFtransceivers can enable providing the remote control 1104 with feedbackconcerning a state associated with the wireless light bulb 1002 (e.g.,whether the light source 1006 is in an on state, an off state, a colorand/or intensity of light yielded by the light source 1006), batterylife, and so forth. Moreover, RF transceivers can allow the wirelesslight bulb 1002 to communicate with disparate wireless light bulb(s)(e.g., to repeat signals, coordinate actions). Pursuant to a furtherexample, the transceiver can enable sending power usage datacorresponding to the wireless light bulb 1002 to a disparate device(e.g., for storage, tracking, statistical analysis, billing).

According to another illustration, the remote control 1104 canmanipulate any number of wireless light bulbs similar to the wirelesslight bulb 1002. For instance, similar changes in operation of anynumber of wireless light bulbs can be effectuated by the remote control1104 and/or the remote control 1104 can communicate respective commandsspecific for any number of subsets of the wireless light bulbs. Pursuantto a further example, the remote control 1104 can encrypt datacommunicated to the wireless light bulb 1002 to provide security;therefore, the wireless light bulb 1002 (e.g., the control component1010, a processor (not shown)) can decrypt the data received from theremote control 1104 via the RF receiver 1102.

Now referring to FIG. 12, illustrated is another block diagram of asystem 1200 that provides wireless lighting. The system 1200 includesthe wireless light bulb 1002 that can be removably attachable to anytype of lighting fixture. Moreover, the lighting fixture can, but neednot, provide power to the wireless light bulb 1002. The wireless lightbulb 1002 can include the light source 1006 (e.g., LED(s)), the powersource 1008, and the control component 1010. Moreover, the wirelesslight bulb 1002 can include any number of sensor(s) 1202. In addition tothe sensor(s) 1202, the wireless light bulb 1002 can comprise a receiverthat can obtain wireless control signals (e.g., the RF receiver 1102) orcan lack such a receiver. According to a further example, the sensor(s)1202 can be separate from the wireless light bulb 1002 and canwirelessly transmit information to the wireless light bulb 1002 tocontrol operation thereof while lacking a wired connection to thewireless light bulb 1002; however, the claimed subject matter is not solimited.

It is to be appreciated that any type of sensor(s) 1202 can be utilizedin connection with the claimed subject matter. For example, thesensor(s) 1202 can be one or more of infrared sensors, light sensors,proximity sensors, acoustic sensors, motion sensors, carbon monoxideand/or smoke detectors, thermal sensors, electromagnetic sensors,mechanical sensors, chemical sensors, and the like. According to anillustration, the wireless light bulb 1002 can include a passiveinfrared (PIR) sensor that can detect motion. The control component 1010can determine if the motion detected by the PIR sensor is above apredetermined threshold. If the motion is above the predeterminedthreshold, the control component 1010 can switch the light source 1006to an on state. Moreover, the control component 1010 can enable thelight source 1006 to emit light for a period of time (e.g.,predetermined, dynamically adjusted, as long as the detected motionremains above the threshold) prior to switching the light source 1006 toan off state. By way of another illustration, the sensor 1202 can be alight sensor that can monitor an amount of light in an environment(e.g., outside during differing times of day); thus, the controlcomponent 1010 can enable the light source 1006 to switch on when theamount of light monitored in the environment drops below a threshold(e.g., the light source 1006 can turn on at night and turn off duringthe day). In accord with another example, the wireless light bulb 1002can be utilized in connection with providing an alarm (e.g., thewireless light bulb 1002 can yield a visual alarm indication) such thatthe sensor 1202 can detect a temperature of an environment or atemperature of the bulb itself, and the control component 1010 canenable operating the light source 1006 based upon the observedtemperature (e.g., transition the light source 1006 to an on state whenthe temperature exceeds a threshold). However, the claimed subjectmatter is not limited to the aforementioned examples.

With reference to FIG. 13, illustrated is a block diagram of a system1300 that provides illumination with a wireless light. The system 1300includes the wireless light bulb 1002 that can further comprise thelight source 1006 (e.g., one or more LEDs), the power source 1008, thecontrol component 1010, and/or the input component 1012. The wirelesslight bulb 1002 can be incorporated into a housing (not shown). It iscontemplated that any size and/or shape housing can be employed with thewireless light bulb 1002. According to another illustration, the housingcan include at least a portion that is moveable (e.g., manually by auser, automatically with a motor or the like) to allow for directingemitted light. For example, a remote control can provide a signal tomanipulate a moveable portion of the housing. Moreover, the housing canorient the light source 1006 in substantially any manner to providegeneral lighting (e.g., illuminating an indoor or outdoor area), tasklighting (e.g., reading), accent lighting, and so forth.

The input component 1012 can receive an input from a disparate device(e.g., the remote control 1104 of FIG. 11, a stand-alone sensor). Theinput component 1012 can provide various adaptors, connectors, channels,communication paths, etc. to enable interaction with the disparatedevice. Pursuant to an illustration, the input can be wirelesslytransmitted (e.g., via an RF signal, an IR signal) from the disparatedevice to the input component 1012; thus, the input component 1012 canbe a receiver and/or a transceiver that obtains the wirelesslytransferred signal. By way of example, an infrared sensor or motionsensor can monitor occupancy in an environment and, upon detectingpresence within the monitored environment, the sensor can transmit awireless input to the input component 1012. It is to be appreciated thatany type of sensors can be utilized in connection with the claimedsubject matter such as, but not limited to, infrared sensors, lightsensors, proximity sensors, acoustic sensors, motion sensors, carbonmonoxide and/or smoke detectors, thermal sensors, electromagneticsensors, mechanical sensors, chemical sensors, and the like.

According to another example, any type of remote control can wirelesslycommunicate with the input component 1012. For instance, the remotecontrol can be a stand-alone remote control (e.g., the remote control1104 of FIG. 11) and/or incorporated into a disparate device (e.g.,incorporated into a key fob, a programmable wireless transceiverintegrated in an automobile). Moreover, the remote control can be apersonal computer, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a laptop, a handheldcommunication device, a handheld computing device, a global positioningsystem, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and/or any other suitabledevice; such devices can communicate directly with the input component1012 and/or via a network (e.g., local area network (LAN), wide areanetwork (WAN), cellular network). By communicating via a network, thewireless light bulb 1002 can be controlled from a remote location (e.g.,an individual can control the wireless light bulb 1002 in her home byutilizing a device in her office). Moreover, the aforementioned devicescan be utilized to wirelessly program the wireless light bulb 1002. Forinstance, operation of a plurality of wireless light bulbs can beprogrammed from a personal computer (e.g., an RF transmitter can becoupled to a USB port of the computer to communicate with the inputcomponent 1012, the wireless light bulbs can be programmed to switch onand off at certain times of day).

In accord with another example, radio frequency identification (RFID)can be utilized to provide the input to the input component 1012. Assuch, an RFID tag associated with a user can be detected when in rangeof the input component 1012, and lighting preferences of the particularuser (e.g., retained in memory) can be effectuated in response to his orher detected presence. By way of illustration, when an individual walksinto a room in her house with an RFID tag, presence of the RFID tag canbe observed by the input component(s) 1012 and the wireless lightbulb(s) in the room can switch on, intensity, color, and/or direction ofthe light(s) can be altered, and so forth; however, the claimed subjectmatter is not so limited. It is also appreciated that the RFID tag canbe read by a RFID reader, the identification of the individual canprocessed by a software program running on a computer or server andsubsequently the computer or server can switch on, intensity, color,and/or direction of the light(s) can be altered, and so forth based on astored profile for that individual.

Additionally or alternatively, the input component 1012 can be a sensorthat can monitor a condition associated with the wireless light bulb1002 to generate the input as described in connection with FIG. 12.According to another example, the input component 1012 can be aconnector, port, etc. that couples to such sensor.

Further, the input component 1012 can wirelessly transmit data (e.g.,feedback, related to a current and/or anticipated future state) to aremote device and/or sensor. By way of another example, the inputcomponent 1012 can wirelessly communicate with an input component of adisparate wireless light bulb to enable coordinated operation betweenmore than one wireless light bulb. Following this example, an input canbe retransmitted within a network of wireless light bulbs, where thenetwork of light bulbs can be dispersed within a geographic area.

The power source 1008 can be any number and/or type of batteries. Forinstance, the battery can be a rechargeable battery. According toanother example, the battery can be a non-rechargeable battery. Thebattery supplies power to the wireless light bulb 1002 to enableinstalling, moving, replacing, etc. the wireless light bulb 1002 in afixture at substantially any indoor or outdoor location while mitigatingthe need for expensive and time consuming wiring and/or utilization ofaesthetically unpleasing and potentially inconvenient cords commonlyassociated with conventional lighting. Pursuant to a further example,the wireless light bulb 1002 can obtain AC power from the fixture, andthe AC power can supplement the power provided by the power source 1008and/or be employed instead of power from the power source 1008.

According to an example, the light source 1006 can be one or more LEDs.It is contemplated that any number, type, color, arrangement, etc. ofLEDs can be utilized with the wireless light bulb 1002. Further, thecontrol component 1010 can provide instructions to manage operation ofthe LED(s). For instance, the control component 1010 can yieldinstructions to switch one or more LEDs on and/or off, change anintensity of illumination (e.g., brightness), switch a wavelength oflight emitted from the LEDs (e.g., to change light color), manipulatedirection of illumination (e.g., by moving, rotating, etc. one or moreof the LEDs) and the like. However, the claimed subject matter is notlimited to the light source 1006 including LED(s); rather, it iscontemplated that any disparate type of light source 1006 can beemployed.

The control component 1010 employs the input obtained by the inputcomponent 1012. The control component 1010 can further include a statemodification component 1302, a timer component 1304, an intensityregulation component 1306, and/or a wavelength control component 1308;however, it is to be appreciated that the control component 1010 caninclude a subset of these components 1302-408. The state modificationcomponent 1302 utilizes the input obtained via the input component 1012to generate an instruction to change a state of the light source 1006.The state modification component 1302 effectuates transitioning thelight source 1006 to an on state, an off state, etc. Further, the statemodification component 1302 can yield commands to strobe the lightsource 1006 (e.g., periodically turning the light source 1006 on and offwith substantially any periodicity). According to an example, the statemodification component 1302 can decipher that a received input pertainsto the light source 1006 and/or a portion thereof (e.g., a subset ofLED(s) in an LED array). Moreover, the state modification component 1302can analyze the input to determine whether to yield instructions tomodify operation of the light source 1006 (e.g., compare an input from asensor to a threshold, evaluate whether a condition has been met, basedupon retrieved instructions corresponding to the input retained inmemory).

The timer component 1304 can operate in conjunction with the statemodification component 1302. For instance, the timer component 1304 canenable delaying state changes. Thus, turning the light source 1006 on oroff can be delayed for an amount of time by the timer component 1304.Further, the amount of time for the delay can be predetermined, randomlyselected, included with the input obtained by the input component 1012(e.g., based on a number of times a button of a remote control isdepressed), etc. Moreover, the timer component 1304 can enable turningthe light source 1006 on and off at certain times (e.g., to create anappearance of someone being in a house when the owner is out of town);for instance, the timer component 1304 can enable the state modificationcomponent 1302 to switch the state at preprogrammed times, at timesdetermined according to a random pattern (e.g., randomly switch thelight source 1006 on at different times during the day for differinglengths of time), and so forth. Additionally, the timer component 1304can include a clock that provides an understanding of time of day, day,month, year, etc. for the wireless light bulb 1002; by way ofillustration, the wireless light bulb 1002 can be synchronized with anindividual's calendar to enable randomly turning the light source 1006on and off when the individual is known to be away from home (e.g., avacation, meeting, and the like can be scheduled on the calendar),switching the light source 1006 on when the individual is due to returnhome or guests are scheduled to arrive, and so forth. According toanother example, the timer component 1304 can conserve battery life byenabling the state modification component 1302 to switch the lightsource 1006 to an off state at a particular time of day, after anelapsed amount of time subsequent to an input that turned the lightsource 1006 to the on state, and so forth. Pursuant to anotherillustration, the timer component 1304 can operate in conjunction withthe intensity regulation component 1306 and/or the wavelength controlcomponent 1308 described below.

The intensity regulation component 1306 can alter the intensity (e.g.,brightness) of the light source 1006 based upon the received input fromthe input component 1012. The intensity can be changed by the intensityregulation component 1306 adjusting a proportion of LEDs in an on stateto LEDs in an off state when the light source 1006 includes an LEDarray. Additionally or alternatively, the intensity regulation component1306 can control the intensity of light emitted by each of the LEDs insuch an array. Pulse width modulation can be used to adjust theintensity of light of any or all LEDs to the desired intensity. Inaddition, the intensity regulation component in conjunction with thetimer component, functions such as fade to off or fade to a low level oflight until an input component detect a condition to transition to afull on state can also be implemented. According to an example, theinput component 1012 can obtain RFID related input that identifies thepresence of a particular user, and this user can have lightingpreferences stored in memory (not shown) associated with the wirelesslight bulb 1002. Following this example, the particular user'spreferences may indicate that she desires dim lighting, which can beeffectuated by the intensity regulation component 1306. Pursuant toanother example, upon a smoke detector or carbon monoxide detectorsensing smoke or carbon monoxide, respectively, the intensity regulationcomponent 1306 can increase the brightness of the illumination of thelight source 1006 to a highest level (e.g., while the state modificationcomponent 1302 can strobe the light source 1006, the wavelength controlcomponent 1308 can change the color). It is to be appreciated, however,that the claimed subject matter is not limited to the aforementionedexamples.

The wavelength control component 1308 can change the wavelength (e.g.,color) of light generated by the light source 1006 as a function of theinput obtained by the input component 1012. For example, the lightsource 1006 can include color changing LEDs, and the wavelength controlcomponent 1308 can yield commands to adjust the color based upon theinput obtained by the input component 1012. By way of another example,subsets of LEDs included in the light source 1006 can yield differingcolors, and the wavelength control component 1308 can select which ofthe LED subsets to turn to the on state to yield the desired color.

By way of further illustration, the control component 1010 can includememory (not shown) that can retain instructions, commands, settings,preferences, calendar data, etc. associated with the wireless light bulb1002; additionally or alternatively, the memory can be separate from thecontrol component 1010 (e.g., the wireless light bulb 1002 can includethe memory and/or the memory can be separate from the wireless lightbulb 1002). Pursuant to an example, a user can create a lighting profilethat regulates operation of the wireless light bulb 1002; the lightingprofile can be stored in memory and thereafter retrieved (e.g., uponreceipt of input via the input component 1012) for use by the controlcomponent 1010 (and/or the state modification component 1302, the timercomponent 1304, the intensity regulation component 1306, the wavelengthcontrol component 1308). The memory can be, for example, either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory. By way of illustration, and not limitation,nonvolatile memory can include read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM(PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasableprogrammable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can includerandom access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory. By wayof illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in many forms suchas static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM),double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), SYNCHLINKDRAM (SLDRAM), RAMBUS direct RAM (RDRAM), direct RAMBUS dynamic RAM(DRDRAM), and RAMBUS dynamic RAM (RDRAM). The memory of the subjectsystems and methods is intended to comprise, without being limited to,these and any other suitable types of memory. In addition, it is to beappreciated that the memory can be a server, a database, a hard drive,and the like. Further, the control component 1010 (and/or the wirelesslight bulb 1002) can include a processor (not shown) to executeinstructions described herein.

Now referring to FIG. 14, illustrated is a system 1400 that recharges apower source (e.g., the power source 1008) integrated within a wirelesslight bulb (e.g., the wireless light bulb 1002). The system 1400 caninclude the wireless light bulb 1002 and the fixture 1004. The wirelesslight bulb 1002 can further include the light source 1006 (e.g.,LED(s)), the power source 1008, the control component 1010, and/or theinput component 1012. The wireless light bulb 1002 can also include arecharge component 1402 that can recharge the power source 1008. Forexample, the recharge component 1402 can enable recharging the powersource 1008 when the power source 1008 comprises one or morerechargeable batteries. The light source 1006 can generate light whilethe recharge component 1402 recharges the power source 1008 (e.g., thewireless light bulb 1002 can be a battery backed up AC light bulb), forinstance; however, the claimed subject matter is not so limited.

In accordance with an illustration, extended use of the wireless lightbulb 1002 can decrease a charge of the power source 1008. For instance,the wireless light bulb 1002 can be utilized with a fixture (e.g., thefixture 1004) that lacks a connection to a power source (e.g.,electrically wired to an AC power source); hence power for operation ofthe wireless light bulb 1002 can be provided by the power source 1008.To replenish the charge of the power source 1008, the wireless lightbulb 1002 can be removed from the fixture 1004 and can be coupled to acharger (not shown), for example. When connected to the charger, therecharge component 1402 can increase the charge of the power source1008. Following another example, the recharge component 1402 canincrease the charge of the power source 1008 when the wireless lightbulb 1002 is coupled to a fixture (e.g., the fixture 1004) that iselectrically connected to an AC power source. Therefore, upon chargedepletion of the power source 1008 of the wireless light bulb 1002 whenconnected to a fixture that lacks a connection to an AC power source,the wireless light bulb 1002 can be moved to a fixture that ishard-wired to an AC power source to enable recharging. Additionally,where the fixture 1004 is a lamp, the lamp can be unplugged (e.g., whenit is desired to utilize the lamp positioned at a distance from anoutlet longer than a length of a cord of the lamp) and the wirelesslight bulb 1002 can operate by leveraging the power source 1008, andthereafter, the lamp can be plugged into an outlet to allow the rechargecomponent 1402 to increase the charge of the power source 1008.According to another illustration, the recharge component 1402 can be asolar cell (or a plurality of solar cells) that can increase the chargeof the power source 1008.

Turning to FIG. 15, illustrated is a system 1500 that coordinatesoperation of a set of wireless light bulbs. The system 1500 includes acoordinated lighting group 1502 which can include any number N ofwireless light bulbs (as shown by the series of wireless light bulbsfrom wireless light bulb 1504 through wireless light bulb 1514), where Ncan be substantially any integer. The N wireless light bulbs 1504-1514can each be substantially similar to the wireless light bulb 1002described above. Moreover, each of the wireless light bulbs 1504-1514can include a respective grouping component and transceiver (e.g.,wireless light bulb 1 1504 can include a grouping component 1506 and atransceiver 1508 and wireless light bulb N 1506 can include a groupingcomponent 1510 and a transceiver 1512).

The wireless light bulbs 1504-1514 in the coordinated lighting group1502 can be controlled with a common remote control (e.g., the remotecontrol 1104 of FIG. 11) and/or sensor(s), for instance. According toanother example, operation of the wireless light bulbs 1504-1514 or asubset thereof can be coordinated. Thus, at least a subset of thewireless light bulbs 1504-1514 can concurrently switch from an on stateto an off state, or vice versa, when the respective transceivers 1508,1512 obtain such an input signal from the common remote control and/orsensor(s). It is to be appreciated that the coordinated lighting group1502 can be programmed in substantially any manner to manage operationsof the wireless light bulbs 1504-1514 as a group.

The grouping components 1506, 1510 can enable the coordinated lightinggroup 1502 to be assembled. For instance, the grouping components 1506,1510 can allow each of the wireless light bulbs 1504-1514 to be assignedto operate upon a particular RF frequency (e.g., channel). Thus, thegrouping components 1506, 1510 can select the channel corresponding tothe coordinated lighting group 1502 for each respective wireless lightbulb 1504-1514. For example, the channel can be user selected,preprogrammed, randomly generated, previously stored in memory, etc.According to another illustration, the grouping components 1506, 1510can learn the channel related to the coordinated lighting group 1502.Following this illustration, when initializing the wireless light bulb 11504, the transceiver 1508 can obtain a setup signal from a remotecontrol, sensor, etc. associated with the coordinated lighting group1502, and the grouping component 1506 can utilize the setup signal tolearn the channel associated with the remote control, sensor, etc.However, it is contemplated that the claimed subject matter is notlimited to the aforementioned examples.

FIGS. 15-16 illustrate methodologies in accordance with the claimedsubject matter. For simplicity of explanation, the methodologies aredepicted and described as a series of acts. It is to be understood andappreciated that the subject innovation is not limited by the actsillustrated and/or by the order of acts, for example acts can occur invarious orders and/or concurrently, and with other acts not presentedand described herein. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts may berequired to implement the methodologies in accordance with the claimedsubject matter. In addition, those skilled in the art will understandand appreciate that the methodologies could alternatively be representedas a series of interrelated states via a state diagram or events.

With reference to FIG. 16, illustrated is a methodology 1600 thatfacilitates selectively emitting light in accordance with a wirelessinput. At 1602, an input can be wirelessly obtained with a receiverintegrated in a light bulb. The input can control illumination of alight source of the light bulb. Further, the input can be obtained fromany type of source (e.g., remote control, disparate wireless light bulb,differing device, sensor). Moreover, the input can be provided from thesource via an RF signal, an IR signal, and so forth. At 1604, the inputcan be analyzed to determine whether to adjust the illumination of thelight source. For example, the light source can include one or moreLEDs. Following this example, if the input provides a command to togglethe state of the LEDs, then an instruction can be yielded to switch theLEDs from an on state to an off state (or vice versa). At 1606, theillumination of the light source can be selectively altered based on theanalyzed input. For example, the light source can be switched to an onstate or an off state, the intensity or color of light emitted by thelight source can be modified, and the like.

Turning now to FIG. 17, illustrated is a methodology 1700 thatfacilitates selectively emitting light based upon input from a sensor.At 1702, a condition within an environment can be monitored with asensor integrated in a light bulb. The sensor, for example, can be oneor more infrared sensors, light sensors, proximity sensors, acousticsensors, motion sensors, carbon monoxide and/or smoke detectors, thermalsensors, electromagnetic sensors, mechanical sensors, chemical sensors,and the like. At 1704, a determination can be effectuated regardingwhether to alter illumination of a light source powered by a batterybased upon the monitored condition, where the light source and thebattery can be integrated in the light bulb. For example, thedetermination can be made by comparing the monitored condition to athreshold. Additionally, the determination can be based at least in partupon considerations related to a current state associated with the lightsource, a charge level of the battery, and so forth. At 1706, theillumination of the light source can be selectively adjusted based onthe monitored condition. Pursuant to an illustration, the light sourcecan be switched to an on state when a darkness level exceeds a threshold(e.g., at night) and thereafter the light source can be transitioned toan off state when the amount of light increases (e.g., during the day);it is contemplated, however, that the claimed subject matter is not solimited.

In order to provide additional context for implementing various aspectsof the claimed subject matter, FIGS. 18-19 and the following discussionis intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitablecomputing environment in which the various aspects of the subjectinnovation may be implemented. For instance, FIGS. 18-19 set forth asuitable computing environment that can be employed in connection withprogramming, controlling, coordinating, monitoring, etc. one or morewireless light bulbs described herein. While the claimed subject matterhas been described above in the general context of computer-executableinstructions of a computer program that runs on a local computer and/orremote computer, those skilled in the art will recognize that thesubject innovation also may be implemented in combination with otherprogram modules. Generally, program modules include routines, programs,components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks and/orimplement particular abstract data types. It is to be appreciated,however, that the claimed subject matter is not limited to beingemployed in connection with the example computing environment set forthin FIGS. 18-19.

Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the inventivemethods may be practiced with other computer system configurations,including single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems,minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers,hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based and/or programmableconsumer electronics, and the like, each of which may operativelycommunicate with one or more associated devices. The illustrated aspectsof the claimed subject matter may also be practiced in distributedcomputing environments where certain tasks are performed by remoteprocessing devices that are linked through a communications network.However, some, if not all, aspects of the subject innovation may bepracticed on stand-alone computers. In a distributed computingenvironment, program modules may be located in local and/or remotememory storage devices.

FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of a sample-computing environment1800 with which the claimed subject matter can interact. Thesample-computing environment 1800 includes one or more client(s) 1810.The client(s) 1810 can be hardware and/or software (e.g., threads,processes, computing devices). The sample-computing environment 1800also includes one or more server(s) 1820. The server(s) 1820 can behardware and/or software (e.g., threads, processes, computing devices).The servers 1820 can house threads to perform transformations byemploying the subject innovation, for example.

One possible communication between a client 1810 and a server 1820 canbe in the form of a data packet adapted to be transmitted between two ormore computer processes. The sample-computing environment 1800 includesa communication framework 1840 that can be employed to facilitatecommunications between the client(s) 1810 and the server(s) 1820. Theclient(s) 1810 are operatively connected to one or more client datastore(s) 1850 that can be employed to store information local to theclient(s) 1810. Similarly, the server(s) 1820 are operatively connectedto one or more server data store(s) 1830 that can be employed to storeinformation local to the servers 1820.

With reference to FIG. 19, an exemplary environment 1900 forimplementing various aspects of the claimed subject matter includes acomputer 1912. The computer 1912 includes a processing unit 1914, asystem memory 1916, and a system bus 1918. The system bus 1918 couplessystem components including, but not limited to, the system memory 1916to the processing unit 1914. The processing unit 1914 can be any ofvarious available processors. Dual microprocessors and othermultiprocessor architectures also can be employed as the processing unit1914.

The system bus 1918 can be any of several types of bus structure(s)including the memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus orexternal bus, and/or a local bus using any variety of available busarchitectures including, but not limited to, Industrial StandardArchitecture (ISA), Micro-Channel Architecture (MSA), Extended ISA(EISA), Intelligent Drive Electronics (IDE), VESA Local Bus (VLB),Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), Card Bus, Universal Serial Bus(USB), Advanced Graphics Port (AGP), Personal Computer Memory CardInternational Association bus (PCMCIA), FIREWIRE (IEEE 1394), and SmallComputer Systems Interface (SCSI).

The system memory 1916 includes volatile memory 1920 and nonvolatilememory 1922. The basic input/output system (BIOS), containing the basicroutines to transfer information between elements within the computer1912, such as during start-up, is stored in nonvolatile memory 1922. Byway of illustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory 1922 caninclude read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electricallyprogrammable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM(EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory 1920 includes random accessmemory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory. By way ofillustration and not limitation, RAM is available in many forms such asstatic RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), doubledata rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), SYNCHLINK DRAM(SLDRAM), RAMBUS direct RAM (RDRAM), direct RAMBUS dynamic RAM (DRDRAM),and RAMBUS dynamic RAM (RDRAM).

Computer 1912 also includes removable/non-removable,volatile/non-volatile computer storage media. FIG. 19 illustrates, forexample a disk storage 1924. Disk storage 1924 includes, but is notlimited to, devices like a magnetic disk drive, floppy disk drive, tapedrive, JAZ drive, ZIP drive, LS-100 drive, flash memory card, or memorystick. In addition, disk storage 1924 can include storage mediaseparately or in combination with other storage media including, but notlimited to, an optical disk drive such as a compact disk ROM device(CD-ROM), CD recordable drive (CD-R Drive), CD rewritable drive (CD-RWDrive) or a digital versatile disk ROM drive (DVD-ROM). To facilitateconnection of the disk storage 1924 to the system bus 1918, a removableor non-removable interface is typically used such as interface 1926.

It is to be appreciated that FIG. 19 describes software that acts as anintermediary between users and the basic computer resources described inthe exemplary environment 1900. Such software includes an operatingsystem 1928. Operating system 1928, which can be stored on disk storage1924, acts to control and allocate resources of the computer 1912.System applications 1930 take advantage of the management of resourcesby operating system 1928 through program modules 1932 and program data1934 stored either in system memory 1916 or on disk storage 1924. It isto be appreciated that the claimed subject matter can be implementedwith various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

A user enters commands or information into the computer 1912 throughinput device(s) 1936. Input devices 1936 include, but are not limitedto, a pointing device such as a mouse, trackball, stylus, touch pad,keyboard, microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, TVtuner card, digital camera, digital video camera, web camera, and thelike. These and other input devices connect to the processing unit 1914through the system bus 1918 via interface port(s) 1938. Interfaceport(s) 1938 include, for example, a serial port, a parallel port, agame port, and a universal serial bus (USB). Output device(s) 1940 usesome of the same type of ports as input device(s) 1936. Thus, forexample, a USB port may be used to provide input to computer 1912, andto output information from computer 1912 to an output device 1940.Output adapter 1942 is provided to illustrate that there are some outputdevices 1940 like monitors, speakers, and printers, among other outputdevices 1940, which require special adapters. The output adapters 1942include, by way of illustration and not limitation, video and soundcards that provide a means of connection between the output device 1940and the system bus 1918. It should be noted that other devices and/orsystems of devices provide both input and output capabilities such asremote computer(s) 1944.

Computer 1912 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as remote computer(s)1944. The remote computer(s) 1944 can be a personal computer, a server,a router, a network PC, a workstation, a microprocessor based appliance,a peer device or other common network node and the like, and typicallyincludes many or all of the elements described relative to computer1912. For purposes of brevity, only a memory storage device 1946 isillustrated with remote computer(s) 1944. Remote computer(s) 1944 islogically connected to computer 1912 through a network interface 1948and then physically connected via communication connection 1950. Networkinterface 1948 encompasses wire and/or wireless communication networkssuch as local-area networks (LAN) and wide-area networks (WAN). LANtechnologies include Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), CopperDistributed Data Interface (CDDI), Ethernet, Token Ring and the like.WAN technologies include, but are not limited to, point-to-point links,circuit switching networks like Integrated Services Digital Networks(ISDN) and variations thereon, packet switching networks, and DigitalSubscriber Lines (DSL).

Communication connection(s) 1950 refers to the hardware/softwareemployed to connect the network interface 1948 to the system bus 1918.While communication connection 1950 is shown for illustrative clarityinside computer 1912, it can also be external to computer 1912. Thehardware/software necessary for connection to the network interface 1948includes, for exemplary purposes only, internal and externaltechnologies such as, modems including regular telephone grade modems,cable modems and DSL modems, ISDN adapters, and Ethernet cards.

Some embodiments may include an auto shutoff feature. This feature maybe set by toggling or setting a switch, may be programmable, may beresponsive to a battery's level, may include fade-to-off effect, and soon.

A variety of products and applications in accordance with the foregoingare possible. Without limitation, these products and applicationsinclude a closet light, a sconce, an under cabinet light, a pendantlight, a track light, a night light, a spotlight (indoor or outdoor), astair light, a path light, a deck light, a porch light, an addressmarker light, a mailbox light, a picture light, a plant light, a treelight, a flower bed light, a cove light, a light bulb (e.g. PAR30,PAR38, MR16, A19, A26, and so on), and so forth. In embodiments, thelight bulb may be AC powered (e.g. an incandescent replacement); mayinclude a motion sensor; may include a light sensor; may include an RFor IR receiver, transmitter, or transceiver; may include an embeddedbattery; may include an embedded programmable timer control; may includea charger base and battery embedded bulb; and so on. In embodimentshaving an embedded battery products and applications may include a“fixture anywhere” battery powered bulb; a “lamp anywhere” batterypowered bulb; an “uninterruptible power supply-type bulb” that is ACpowered, switches over to battery power when the AC power fails, and canbe toggled on/off regardless of whether the AC power has failed; an“emergency light bulb” that is battery powered and switches on when ACpower fails; an “emergency battery backed LED down light/florescentlight”, which is similar to the emergency light bulb except that thebatteries are mounted in the down light fixture or fluorescent bulb,fixture or ballast. In embodiments having an embedded programmable timercontrol, the light bulb may turn on and off at certain times and mayoperate in an “at home” mode, an “away” mode, and so on.

Further products and applications may include a for sale sign, a lightadapted for boating or water sports, a street lamp, a driveway light, areading light, a pool light (e.g. a waterproof or water resistantlight), an LED “throwie” (e.g. an LED lamp that can be placed by hand),a camping light, a warning light, a light adapted for a signageapplication, a light for non-automotive vehicles (e.g. a personalvehicle such as a bicycle, scooter, skateboard, SEGWAY, stroller, or thelike), a light adapted for automotive vehicles (e.g. an interior orexterior retrofit light, an RV light, a bus light, and so on), a campuslight, a parking garage light, a light adapted for emergency responderapplications, a battery-backed industrial fixture (e.g. hallway orstairwell lights, down-lighting, and so on), and so forth.

Embodiments may be suitable for a variety of use scenarios. Use ofembodiments in integrated systems may, without limitation, includeautomotive lighting systems, military lighting systems, emergencyresponse systems, campus lighting, parking garage lighting systems,outdoor lighting systems, and so on. Embodiments may be sold in a kitthat includes instructions for use. Such kits may be directed atresidential use, including without limitation a basketball courtlighting kit, a playground lighting kit, a hot tub lighting kit, afall-prevention lighting kit (indoor or outdoor), a front walkwaylighting kit, a garage lighting kit, a shed lighting kit, a gazebolighting kit, a deck and patio lighting kit, a dock lighting kit, a docklighting kit, an animal deterrent kit, a power outage lighting kit, aboat lighting kit, a house perimeter lighting kit, a tennis courtlighting kit, a dorm room lighting kit, and so on. Such kits may bedirected at commercial and industrial applications including, withoutlimitation, a new construction lighting kit, an office night extlighting kit, a warehouse supplemental lighting kit, a storage unitfacility lighting kit, a stair emergency lighting kit, and so on.

Without limitation, embodiments may include an RF-controlled closetlight, an RF-controlled spotlight, an RF-controlled stair light, anRF-controlled deck light, a motion-responsive closet light, amotion-responsive spotlight, a motion-responsive stair light, amotion-responsive sensor light, a motion light bulb, an RF-controlledlight bulb, a light-responsive light bulb, and so on.

What has been described above includes examples of the subjectinnovation. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivablecombination of components or methodologies for purposes of describingthe claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art mayrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the subjectinnovation are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter isintended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variationsthat fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In particular and in regard to the various functions performed by theabove described components, devices, circuits, systems and the like, theterms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe suchcomponents are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, toany component which performs the specified function of the describedcomponent (e.g., a functional equivalent), even though not structurallyequivalent to the disclosed structure, which performs the function inthe herein illustrated exemplary aspects of the claimed subject matter.In this regard, it will also be recognized that the innovation includesa system as well as a computer-readable medium havingcomputer-executable instructions for performing the acts and/or eventsof the various methods of the claimed subject matter.

In addition, while a particular feature of the subject innovation mayhave been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations,such feature may be combined with one or more other features of theother implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any givenor particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms“includes,” and “including” and variants thereof are used in either thedetailed description or the claims, these terms are intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.”

In a second illustrative embodiment, a version of the wireless lightbulb is a motion controlled, light sensor activated LED light bulb. Withreference to FIG. 20, illustrated is a perspective view of an embodimentof a motion wireless light bulb 2000. In the illustrated embodiment, themotion wireless light bulb 2000 includes a housing 2010, a plurality ofLEDs 2020, a motion sensor 2030, logic 2040, power circuitry 2050 and alight socket adapter 2060. In the illustrated embodiment, the motionwireless light bulb 2000 includes 3 LEDs. In alternative embodiments, amotion wireless light bulb 2000 may include more LEDs 2020 to providegreater illumination or fewer LEDs 2020 to use less power. It is to beappreciated that the motion wireless light bulb 2000 can include anynumber of LEDs 2020, and the LEDs 2020 can be positioned atsubstantially any locations with respect to one another as well as incomparison to the housing 2010. It is noted that the motion wirelesslight bulb 2000 can be designed in any size or shape so that the housing2010 meets the requirements of any standard size bulb (PAR30, PAR38,A19, R30, MR16, and so on), non-standard size bulb, fixture, fluorescentbulb or lamp (T4, T5, T8, circular, and so on) or down light assembly(recessed fixtures, fluorescent fixtures or down light fixtures forresidential or industrial lighting), or the like. In alternateembodiments, any type of wireless light bulb mentioned herein can bedesigned in any size or shape housing to meet the requirements of anystandard size bulb (PAR30, PAR38, A19, R30, MR16 etc), non-standard sizebulb, fixture, fluorescent bulbs or lamps (T4, T5, T8, circular, and soon) or down light assembly (recessed fixtures, fluorescent fixtures ordown light fixtures for residential or industrial lighting), or thelike. It is also to be appreciated that the light socket adapter 2060can be designed to interface electrically and mechanically with anystandard size or non-standard size bulb socket including screw threadbases, bayonet bases, pin bases and any other kind of special lamp basethat can be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the motion wirelesslight bulb 2000 illuminates an area of approximately twenty square feetwhen above the ground ten feet pointing directly down. Alternateembodiments may include but are not limited to any known light sourceincluding LEDs, compact fluorescent, fluorescent, induction, halogen,gas discharge, organic LEDs (OLED), plasma, radio generated plasma andincandescent bulbs and can illuminate any size area.

In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 2010 is constructed ofplastic. Alternatively, the housing 2010 can be constructed of metal orany other known material. In one embodiment the housing can bewaterproof, shatterproof, UV resistant and/or corrosion resistant foruse outdoors or difficult environments. The material of the housing canserve as a heat sink and can be constructed of a material to dissipateor conduct heat away from the LEDs to improve the performance and extendthe life of the LEDs.

In the illustrated embodiment the housing 2010 includes a reflector foreach LED to reflect the light from the LEDs to provide a distinct areaof coverage. In other embodiments, an optical lens or lenses orreflectors can direct the light, reflect the light or change the viewingangle of the LEDs. The housing of the bulb may include any number ofoptical elements. The optical elements may serve to focus, diffuse,filter, collimate, or otherwise affect light produced by the LEDs 2020.In embodiments, the optical elements may include one or more lenses,reflectors, optical filters, aperture, and so on. The lenses may befixed, a multiple lens array, adjustable, and so on. The lenses orreflectors may be manually adjustable, motorized with direct controlwith switches on the unit for adjusting the direction or characteristicsof the light source, motorized with a remote control for adjusting thedirection or characteristics of the light source through RF or IRcontrol or it may detect motion and automatically adjust the lenses orreflectors to aim the light in the direction of the motion. An exampleuse of the embodiment where the lenses or reflectors are automaticallyadjusted based on the direction in which motion is detected is severallight bulbs can adjust to direct light in the direction of the motionadding illumination to the object in motion thereby allowing theindividual light bulbs to be smaller and require less power but stillresulting in a necessary amount of light on the object in motion. Insome embodiments, there may be an array of optical elements that arepointed in fixed directions such that the light may be redirected byturning on LEDs pointing in a desired direction with a desired lightoutput and turning off LEDs that may not point in the desired directionor provide the desired light output. Thus, the directionality of thelight is achieved based on which LEDs are on and which LEDs are off inthe embodiment.

With continued reference to illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 20 oneinput component is a motion sensor. When the motion sensor 2030 detectsmotion, logic 2040 determines if the motion is above a predeterminedthreshold. If the motion is above the predetermined threshold, the logic2040 instructs an LED controller to turn on at least one LED. The motionsensor will only be operational if a second input component, a lightsensor, detects that detected light is at a low enough level to allowthe motion sensor 2030 to control the LEDs to turn on (i.e. the bulbwill only work in the dark or whatever low light level is set by thelight sensor and its detection circuitry). In an alternate embodimentthe light sensor is not present and the bulb works only based on thestate of the motion sensor 2030.

In the illustrated embodiment, after the LEDs are turned on, the logic2040 starts a timer. The logic will then instruct the LED controller toturn off the LEDs if no motion is detected before the timer reaches apredetermined timer threshold. If motion is detected before the timerreaches the timer threshold, the LEDs will remain on and the timer willreset to the timer starting point. The illustrated embodiment includesthis auto shutoff feature to provide efficient energy usage by shuttingoff or limiting power consumption by the light source when motion is notdetected. This feature is factory set via a timer that expires such thatafter turn on, if there is no reactivation of the control to turn theLEDs on, the unit will automatically turn the LEDs off when the timerexpires. In alternate embodiments, there may be more than one autoshutoff timer, there may be an adjustable auto shutoff timer with amethod to select the desired auto shutoff time, and the like. Thisfeature may be set by toggling or setting a switch or switches, may bedial selectable, may be set by a potentiometer, may be programmabledirectly or by remote, and so on.

In the illustrated embodiment, the timer consists of an RC electricalcircuit that discharges to the factory set voltage threshold over someperiod of time at which time, if not retriggered, will automaticallyshut off the LEDs. Other embodiments may have a timer built in any knowntimer circuit and allow features based on the timer value thatautomatically shut off the LEDs, automatically turn on the LEDs orautomatically change the light intensity level. This feature may be setby toggling or setting a switch, may be dial selectable, may be set by apotentiometer, may be programmable directly or by remote, may include afade-to-off effect, fade-to-dim effect, fade-to-glow effect, fade fromone light intensity level to another light intensity level and so on. Insome embodiments, the feature may include an increase in light intensityover time which may include an off-to-glow effect, glow-to-dim,glow-to-some light intensity level, an increase from one light intensitylevel to a higher light intensity level and so on. It is to beappreciated that the change from one light intensity level to anotherlight intensity level may happen over any period of time that may beimplemented with the timers. A second feature may have two or more autoshutoff levels set by multiple timers. For example the auto shutofffeature may control the light from bright to dim when the first timerexpires and from dim to off when the second timer expires and so on. Itis to be appreciated that any form of control by a wireless light bulbor wireless lighting module may trigger the feature of changing thelighting intensity level from one level to another including wirelesscontrol, direct control or intelligent programming to change the state.

Other embodiments can include a circuit that allows the unit to glow ata level such that the unit can be a marker in a dark environment andwhen motion is detected it turns on to a bright level for illuminationto a level that a user can find their way. An alternate embodiment wouldinclude a circuit that allows the bulb to be on at a low light level toilluminate an area with enough light to see the area from a distance andwhen motion is detected the LEDs turns on to a bright level forillumination to a level that a user can accomplish any task desired. Inanother embodiment, the low light level blinks at some rate to provide amarker until a sensor triggers transitioning to a bright level. In someembodiments, the control of the brightness level at glow, low, bright orany brightness level the user may desire is controlled by a dial,buttons, switches, RF/IR remote or any other known control to allow theuser to set the different light levels to the individual userpreference.

In another embodiment, the light can be programmed to fade over timesuch that the light is activated and slowly fades until it reacheseither a glow level or a low light level. An example of this applicationis a wireless light bulb plugged into a light socket or lamp in thebedroom of a child that is on when they go to bed at night, but fadesover time to a glow level or a low light level as they fall asleep. Thedesign can include any controls, methods and circuits by which toachieve multiple light levels. In addition the design may includemethods and circuits to achieve constant current control to achieveconsistent brightness at the different light levels.

In the illustrated embodiment, the motion wireless light bulb 2000includes a passive infrared sensor configured to detect motion. In oneembodiment, the passive infrared sensor has a range of approximately 10feet and a viewing angle of 45 degrees. In alternative embodiments, thepassive infrared sensor may have a range and viewing angle of any knownpassive infrared sensor. In one alternative embodiment, the passiveinfrared sensor is removably connected to the unit so that a user mayconnect any appropriate sensor. In some embodiments, the passiveinfrared sensor may be replaced or enhanced by a radar sensor, anultrasound sensor, or any and all other form of motion sensor.

In other embodiments, any and all sensors may include a detectionthreshold or false detection rate that can be configured according to auser's preference. For example and without limitation, a light sensormay be configured to detect when incoming light crosses a user-preferredintensity threshold. The light sensor may contain many thresholds thatcan be detected. In such an example, the light source may be controlledin a different way upon each crossing of a threshold. For example,between any two thresholds detectable by the light sensor, the lightsource may be set to a particular brightness level. In such a case, asthe ambient light increases or decreases (during dawn or dusk forexample), the light source may slowly decrease or increase itsbrightness level based on preset levels. It is to be appreciated thathysteresis may be built in at the crossing of a threshold. It is also tobe appreciated that there may be no thresholds and the light intensityis set based on the ambient light level detected such that the ambientlight plus the light generated by the light source maintain a constantlight level as set in the design or as set by the user. Control of thisfunction may be done in the electrical circuit, done by amicrocontroller, may include programmable thresholds, etc. A variety ofother such examples will be appreciated, all of which are within thescope of the present disclosure.

In the illustrated embodiment, a Fresnel lens enables motion detections.The motion detector includes a Fresnel lens that guides infrared lightover the PIR sensor in a substantially repeating pattern as a heatsource (such as a person, vehicle, and so on) passes in front of thelens. The combination of the passive infrared sensor and Fresnel lenshas a range of 15 feet and a viewing angle of 90 degrees. Inembodiments, the Fresnel lens may be selected to provide a desired zoneof coverage. It will be understood that a variety of embodiments ofmotion detectors including or excluding the Fresnel lens are possible.

With continued reference to FIG. 20, when the motion sensor 2030 detectsmotion, logic 2040 determines if the motion is above a predeterminedthreshold. If the motion is above the predetermined threshold, the logic2040 instructs an LED controller to turn on at least one LED 2020. Afterthe at least one LED 2020 is turned on, the logic 2040 starts a timer.The logic 2040 will then instruct the LED controller to turn off the atleast one LED 2020 if no motion is detected before the timer reaches apredetermined threshold. In an alternate embodiment, the logic willcontrol at least one LED 2020 to revert to a glow or low light levelwhen the timer reaches a predetermined threshold to conserve energy butalso provide a low level of light until motion is detect to turn on tothe bright light level. In an alternate embodiment, the logic 2040 canmaintain the bright light level for some period of time, but then cancontrol the light to fade to off, to a glow or to a low light level byslowly dimming the at least one LED through pulse width modulation orany other known method over some preset or programmable period of timeuntil it reaches off, the glow or the low light level.

A wireless light bulb can be controlled by any type of input signal thatcan be leveraged by the logic to manipulate operation of the LEDs. Thus,the input component can be a radio frequency (RF) or infrared (IR)receiver that can obtain an RF or IR signal communicated from an RF orIR transmitter that can be utilized by the logic to control operation ofthe LEDs. The RF or IR transmitter can come in the form of remotecontrol, key fob, wall switch or any other controller that can house theRF or IR circuitry and user control mechanism. According to thisexample, the RF or IR transmission can be deciphered by the inputcomponent to effectuate switching the LEDs to an on or off state,changing a light color or a light intensity provided by the LEDs, andthe like. By way of an example, dimming commands can control thewireless light bulb to specific levels in response to commands receivedfrom the RF or IR transmitter in a remote control or wall switch.Controls (mode buttons, control wheel, etc) on a remote control or wallswitch can increase or decrease the light level, set the level to glow,low, high light level or the like directly. By way of an example, aPAR30 type AC powered wireless light bulb can be controlled by RF or bythe wall switch with the light source AC powered. This type of wirelesslight bulb can be installed in a porch light fixture. The porch lightcan be controlled by a wall switch inside of a house, but also becontrolled by a RF remote control. This is useful because it allows theporch light to be turned on from a car as the car enters a driveway.This may eliminate the need to keep the porch light on all of the timethat the user is away from the house, but still allowing them to use theporch light to illuminate the area when needed.

In an alternate embodiment, a network of wireless light bulbs can becreated by embedding an RF transceiver with intelligence(microcontroller, microprocessor, integrated circuit etc.) in thewireless light bulbs and using a communication protocol between thebulbs to control any size group of bulbs to accomplish any taskdescribed herein. Other control sources designed to communicate throughthe network such as wall switches, key fobs, remote controls, RFadapters that can plug into a computer and be controlled by a softwareprogram, etc. can also connect to the network and control wireless lightbulbs in the network. By way of an example, the wireless light bulbs area combination of RF transceiver and motion sensor. If one bulb detectsmotion, it sends out a message to all bulbs via its RF transmitter toturn all of the bulbs on to a specific brightness level. Bulbs can alsoreceive a message via its RF receiver and retransmit it via its RFtransmitter to extend the range of lights beyond what is within therange of the initial unit that detected motion. In an alternate example,the control source may be one or more remote controls with a push buttonthat is pressed to turn the lights on and a push button, that is pressedto turn the lights off with a unique identifier that can be set that canselect the wireless light bulbs to control, and the like. When eitherbutton is pressed, a command is transmitted by a remote control to thenetwork to control the bulbs that receive it. The command may also bepropagated through the network of bulbs via the RF transceiver in eachbulb to control a portion of or the entire network of wireless lightbulbs. It is to be appreciated that the bulbs can use any type ofnetworking protocol (routing, flooding etc.) that may effectivelydistribute state information through the network of bulbs. When the autoshutoff timer of the originating wireless light bulb times out, it cansend an off command which is also propagated through the network oflight bulbs to shut them all off. The triggering method can be anymethod sensor described herein and the sending of signals from onewireless light bulb to another can be RF/IF, wired or wireless network(WIFI, ZIGBEE, X10 etc.) or wired with any electrical control mechanismbetween wireless light bulbs that can be defined.

Additionally or alternatively, the input component can be one or moresensors that monitor a condition, and monitored information yielded bysuch sensor(s) can be utilized to effectuate adjustments associated withthe LEDs. It is to be appreciated that any type of sensor(s) can beutilized in connection with the claimed subject matter instead of or inconjunction with a motion sensor. For example, the sensor(s) can be oneor more of infrared sensors, light sensors, proximity sensors, magneticswitch sensor, acoustic sensors, voice activated sensor, motion sensors,radar sensors, sonar sensors, carbon monoxide and/or smoke detectors,thermal sensors, electromagnetic sensors, mechanical sensors, chemicalsensors, pressure sensor, RFID tag reader or detection circuit and thelike. According to another example, the input component can be aconnector, port, etc. that couples to a disparate device, sensor, etc.to receive the input signal. It is also appreciated that any combinationof sensors can be utilized in connection with the claimed subjectmatter. The characteristics of the light output (off, glow, on at lowlevel, on at bright level, color etc) and the transition between thosecharacteristics can be controlled by any detectable state of the sensoror sensors. It is also to be appreciated that intelligence in the formof logic, electrical circuitry, microcontrollers, microprocessors,memory devices etc. contained in the bulb can leverage the sensors tomonitor patterns of RF, IR or sensor inputs, keep the patterns in memoryover time if necessary and adjust individual light characteristics basedon the patterns detected. Thus the wireless light bulb has the abilityto learn from inputs from its environment and change behavioraccordingly.

The illustrated embodiment is a combination of a light sensor that willminimize power consumption by only allowing the LEDs to turn on whenthere is a low level of light in the environment and a motion sensor.When there is enough light in the environment, the motion sensor willcontrol the LEDs to turn on when motion is detected. An alternateembodiment includes an RF receiver and motion sensor in the wirelesslight bulb and separate RF transmitter remote control that can overridemotion sensor control of the bulb when a user desires that it is turnedon for an extended period of time or controlled remotely rather than bymotion. One or more wireless light bulbs are controlled by either themotion sensors on the bulbs, by a separate RF remote control, RF wallswitch or the like. The RF control element is used to turn on, turn off,control dimming, program timers for automatic control etc. in thewireless light bulbs. In an alternate embodiment, the remote controlelement contains a motion sensor and an RF transmitter to transmitcommands based on motion detection or switches, buttons, dials or othercontrols on the remote control element to the one or more wireless lightbulbs. The wireless light bulbs have an RF receiver but may or may nothave a motion sensor.

In an alternate embodiment, the wireless light bulb can be controlled byonly a light sensor. In this embodiment, the light will only turn on ina low level of light. Thus, when AC power is applied to the bulb and thelevel of ambient light is low enough, the bulb will turn on, otherwiseit will remain off. Alternately, the light source can be controlledbased on the amount of light detected from the light sensor such that itturns on slowly in the evening as it gets darker outside and fades tooff in the morning as the amount of ambient light increases slowly. Forexample, a pulse width modulation circuit or other brightness controlcan be set based on the state of the light sensor. In some embodiments adaylight harvesting function may be implemented where the lightintensity is set based on the ambient light level detected such that theambient light plus the light generated by the light source maintain aconstant light level as set in the design or as set by the user. Thelight sensor light bulb can be used outside such that power on the wiredcircuit can be turned on all of the time, but the light sensor lightbulb will not consume power from the wired circuit other than to powerthe light sensor associated circuit until the light sensor enables thebulb for operation.

Another alternative embodiment includes one or more wireless light bulbswith an RF receiver and a light sensor as input components controllingthe light source and an RF transmitter remote combined with a motionsensor. The one or more wireless light bulbs may or may not glow allthrough the night. An example use of this embodiment is a drivewaysensor that detects a car triggering the motion sensor to send an RFtransmission to the light when the car enters the driveway. The lightcan stay on for some user set amount of time, for example ten minutes,then auto shutoff or revert to glow mode. In alternate embodiments, theRF transmitter and motion sensor may contain additional controls. Forexample, the RF transmitter and motion sensor may contain an on switch,off switch, toggle switch, dimmer control switches, motion sensitivitycontrols, a light sensor with and without sensitivity controls, shutofftimer controls, and the like, or any other type of control mentionedherein. By way of an example, an RF transmitter and motion sensor maycontain an OFF push button. The unit may send an ON control message to awireless light bulb or battery powered wireless lighting fixture whenmotion is detected to turn the light on. It may contain an auto-shutofftimer that may send an OFF control message when the auto-shutoff timerexpires. In addition, if the user is leaving an area, rather than waitfor the auto-shutoff timer to expire, an OFF push button on the unit maybe pressed to send an OFF control message to the wireless light bulb orbattery powered wireless lighting fixture to shut the light off. In someexamples, the motion sensor may be briefly disabled for some period oftime to allow the user to leave the area such that their motion whenexiting does not retrigger the light immediately. For example, if themotion sensor is disabled for five seconds after the OFF push button ispressed, the user may be able to exit the area without retriggering thelight. This function may allow the user to save power consumption in thewireless light bulb or battery powered wireless lighting fixture byproviding the means to turn the light off manually when they know itwill not be used. In some embodiments, the RF transmitter and motionsensor may mount to a bracket that can be mounted to a wall, ceiling,stake or the like such that the bracket may can be articulated to allowthe motion sensor to be pointed in the direction that the motion needsto be detected. This may allow the ability to optimize the area ofdetection given the characteristics of the motion detector and thedesired area where motion is to be detected. In alternate embodiments,multiple motion detectors may be built into the same housing to allowmotion to be detected from more than one direction. For example, amotion detector with three sensors each with 120 degree coverage maycover 360 degrees of motion detection allowing a stake or pole mountsensor to detect motion from any direction. This stake may be mounted inan open area to detect motion from any direction and turn on the lightsource to illuminate an area.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the wireless light bulb powersource is alternating current (AC) typical of hard-wired fixtures thatcan provide AC power to light bulbs. The wireless light bulb includes ACcircuitry, including an AC/DC converter to generate DC power for thecircuitry and light source contained in the wireless light bulb. TheAC/DC converter may include line capacitors, a diode bridge, a fly backconverter, a constant current circuit, DC regulator and so on to convertAC power from the line to DC power. It will be understood that a varietyof AD/DC converters are possible. In one known embodiment, a diodebridge, a constant current buck converter, a linear voltage regulatorand protection circuitry are used to provide power to the controlcircuitry and light source.

In some embodiments the wireless light bulb may be powered directly froma DC input. In other embodiments the wireless light bulb can be poweredoff of a nominal 12V AC source. For example, an MR16 type wireless lightbulb can be designed to take the 12V AC provided at the pin base andconvert it to DC. In another example, the MR16 type wireless light bulbcan include a full wave rectifier circuit to accept 12V AC or 12V DCinput to power the circuitry and light source. It is appreciated thatany AC or DC input can be converted to an operating power source for thecircuitry and light source.

Wireless light bulbs powered from AC power with wireless control in theform of an embedded sensor or RF or IR receiver allow for individualwireless light bulbs on the same wired circuit to be controlledindependently. In one example, individual wireless light bulbs with anembedded RF receiver and intelligence to process commands received overan RF communication link are on the same wired circuit and can becontrolled by an RF wall switch. An RF transmitter circuit embedded inthe wall switch can control individual bulbs on the wired circuit toturn them on or off, send dimming commands, program functionality tochange state based on time of day, program on times, off times andbrightness levels based on billing rates from the power company atdifferent times of the day etc. The RF transmitter circuit may becombined with one or more other wireless control methods to implementadditional functionality. For example, a motion sensor could be used inaddition to the RF transmitter to control the light based on motiondetection. The RF transmitter circuit can be battery powered andtherefore offer the convenience of allowing it to be installed anywhereor the RF transmitter circuit can be part of an assembly that canreplace or modify the wall light switch controlling the entire wiredcircuit to provide greater control of the lights on that wired circuit.In the case where the wall light switch is replaced by an RF transmitterwall light switch assembly, the RF transmitter circuitry may be batterypowered, but it also may use AC as its power source and thus contain andAC/DC circuit. In one example, the RF transmitter wall light switchassembly may use the existing on/off switch of the wall light switch(i.e. be installed inside the wall light switch) or in another examplethe assembly may be installed to replace the wall light switchaltogether. In another example, motion sensor controlled wireless lightbulbs on a wired circuit can be installed to conserve power by detectingoccupancy and only turn on when the light is needed. All of the bulbscan be motion sensor wireless light bulbs or there can be a mix ofmotion sensor wireless light bulbs and traditional light bulbs toconserve power when the additional light is not needed. It is to beappreciated that any sensor described herein can be used to individuallycontrol wireless light bulbs on a wired circuit.

In another embodiment, the power source can be one or more batteriesembedded in the wireless light bulb instead of AC power. For instance,the power source can be any number, size, and type of rechargeable(e.g., nickel-cadmium) and/or non-rechargeable (e.g., alkaline)batteries. Pursuant to a further illustration, the power source can be asolar cell. Moreover, the power source can be a combination of a solarcell and one or more batteries. Thus, for instance, a battery cansupplement power supplied by the solar cell (or vice versa) and/or thesolar cell can recharge a battery. In accordance with a furtherillustration, the power source can wirelessly obtain power (e.g., to beutilized directly, employed to recharge batteries); for instance, powercan be wirelessly delivered to the power source via collecting RF energyfrom the environment, electromagnetic induction, wave coupling,converting motion or heat to electrical energy, wireless powertransmission, and the like. It is to be appreciated that any wirelesspower source or any combination of wireless power sources can be used tosupply power to or recharge energy storage in the wireless light bulb.For example, a wireless light bulb can contain circuitry to collect RFenergy from the environment and also contain rechargeable batteries tostore the collected energy. In alternate embodiments the power sourcemay include a fuel cell, such as and without limitation a hydrogen fuelcell, a reformed methanol fuel cell, or the like. In other alternateembodiments, the power source may include a capacitor, array ofcapacitors, super capacitors to store energy to be used as a powersource similar to a battery, and the like.

By way of an example, the wireless light bulb can physically couple witha fixture to support the wireless light bulb in a particular position,yet electrical current need not flow between the fixture and thewireless light bulb. Thus, the fixture can be installed at substantiallyany location without needing to supply power (e.g., via hard-wiring thefixture); hence, the fixture can be physically placed, secured, mounted,installed, etc. in a locale without being hard-wired to a power source.A battery powered wireless light bulb allows for a fixture to beinstalled anywhere. Any type of fixture design (size, shape, style etc.)can be installed at any location suitable for installation of thefixture and using a battery embedded wireless light bulb it can be donewithout the need for wiring. Power is embedded in the bulb and controlis provided by a sensor and/or RF/IR receiver that is also embedded inthe bulb As another example, the battery embedded wireless light bulballows for a lamp (table lamp, floor lamp, desk lamp etc.) to be placedanywhere independent of a need to be placed close to an electricaloutlet, using an extension cord to cable power to the lamp or having anelectrician wire power to a point where the lamp can be plugged into anAC power source. Alternately, a battery powered wireless light bulb canbe used in an existing fixture or lamp to take advantage of wirelesspower and wireless control in that location. In an alternate embodiment,to use the switch control on the lamp that would control on and off whenplugged into an AC socket, the lamp remains unplugged, however anelectrically conducting cap or connector is placed on the end betweenthe two AC prongs of the connector to short the two prongs together.Inside the wireless light bulb, a short circuit can be detected. Whendetected as a short circuit, the switch control is in the on positionand the battery powered wireless light bulb is turned on. When it isdetected as an open circuit, the switch is in the off position and thebattery powered wireless light bulb is turned off.

In another example, a motion sensor wireless light bulb powered only byembedded batteries can replace one or more incandescent light bulbs on awired circuit. By way of an example, there are six recessed fixturescontaining six R30 incandescent bulbs controlled by a single wallswitch. One of the incandescent bulbs is replaced by an R30 motionsensor wireless light bulb powered only by embedded batteries or one ofthe incandescent bulbs is replaced by a recessed fixture motion sensorwireless light bulb that mechanically replaces the entire recessedfixture and is powered only by embedded batteries. There are severaladvantages to this use scenario for the battery embedded wireless lightbulb. First, the motion sensor wireless light bulb will work even in apower outage so it offers an emergency or safety lighting function.Second, even when the wall switch is turned off and the incandescentbulbs are off, the motion sensor wireless light bulb will still provideenough light when motion is detected to find a path to the wall switchto activate all of the lights. Third, there may be enough light from themotion sensor wireless light bulb such that the additional lighting isnot necessary therefore the incandescent bulbs would not be used. Thisprovides some savings in power consumption as well as a dim light levelwhich may be preferable sometimes to the bright light offered by toomuch lighting in an area. In an alternate embodiment, the motion sensorwireless light bulb can have multiple light levels. For example, it canhave a bright light level but revert to a glow or low light level whenthe timer reaches a predetermined threshold to conserve energy but alsoprovide a low level of light until motion is detect to turn on to thebright light level. In an alternate embodiment, logic can maintain thebright light level for some period of time, but then can control thelight to fade to a glow or low light level by slowly dimming the atleast one LED through pulse width modulation or other brightness controlmethod over some preset or programmable period of time until it reachesthe glow or low light level. In an alternate embodiment, a light sensormay provide a measurement of the ambient light level to set the lightintensity level for a daylight harvesting function where the lightintensity is set based on the ambient light level detected such that theambient light plus the light generated by the light source maintain aconstant light level.

By way of another example, the one replacement wireless light bulbcontains an RF receiver and can be controlled by RF via a remotecontrol. The remote control can be kept in a convenient location, abedside table for example, to turn on the replacement bulb that wouldprovide enough light to get to the wall switch to turn on the brighterincandescent lights or it could turn on one or more RF controlledbattery embedded wireless light bulbs that provide adequate light.Alternatively, the battery embedded wireless light bulb can becontrolled by any combination of RF, IR, or any sensors mentionedherein.

In other embodiments, the battery powered wireless light bulb willcontain rechargeable batteries such that the bulb can be recharged byconnecting the bulb to an AC power source such as plugging the bulb intoa recharging base, plugging the bulb into an AC light socket and thelike. For example, a battery powered wireless light bulb containingrechargeable batteries can be used with a fixture or lamp. When thecapacity of the rechargeable batteries dips below a level that the lightoutput is no longer acceptable, a user can unscrew the battery poweredwireless light bulb and screw it into a recharging base. The rechargingbase is comprised of the circuitry necessary to charge the batteries tocapacity. When battery charging is complete, the user can remove thebulb from the recharging base and return it to the fixture or lamp. Inanother example, the bulb can be plugged into a standard light socket tocharge the batteries. In one embodiment, the bulb can also be connectedto a DC power source for recharging and as such would have circuitry tomake use of the DC power source for recharging the batteries. In analternate embodiment, the bulb has a USB connector on it that allows forcharging by connection to a USB port. In other alternate embodiments anyform of wireless power mentioned herein may be used for recharging abattery powered wireless light bulb. It is to be appreciated that anycombination of charging approaches can be included in the same batterypowered wireless light bulb.

In such a case when there is a USB connector on the bulb, the USBconnector may also be used as a communication interface to program thebulb. An AC powered wireless light bulb or battery powered wirelesslight bulb may be able to attach to a computer via USB directly or overa USB cable to connect the bulb for programming. In other embodiments,different interface types on the bulb such as Ethernet, IEEE 1394 FireWire, Serial Port or the like can be used to connect to a computerdirectly or by cable to program the bulb. In another example, aprogramming adapter connected to the computer that the wireless lightbulb can plug into or connect to electrically and mechanically in anyknown manner may serve as the interface to program the bulb. In otherembodiments, an RF or IR adapter that can plug into a computer directlyor via a cable using any of the interface types listed may sendprogramming information to one or more wireless light bulbs containingan RF or IR receiver or transceiver to program the wireless light bulbs.In some embodiments, an RF or IR interface to the wireless light bulbmay be provided by any device (remote control, keypad, PDA, computer,laptop, custom circuit etc.) with the RF or IR interface and the abilityto communicate with the wireless light bulbs can be used to program thewireless light bulbs. A software program that allows a user to set thestate of the bulb based on timer or time of day, auto shut-off times,color temperature, light strength (glow levels, low light levels,dimming/fading functions), motion sensitivity and listening on times,light sensitivity, level of ambient light controlled by a photocell,energy usage control to control light output based on a desired amountof energy usage over time, network parameters (unique IDs, network IDs,multicast IDs, broadcast IDs, IP address, routing and forwardinginformation for the network, WIFI SSIDs, ZIGBEE PAN IDs and network IDs,X10 four bit house code, INSTEON address or the like), sensor parameters(detection thresholds for setting the state of the bulb, timer and timeof day settings for when the sensor is active and the like) etc. is usedto connect to and program the state of the bulb. It is to be appreciatedthat the AC powered or battery powered wireless light bulb may containthe intelligence necessary to implement the programmable functions.

Batteries in a battery powered wireless light bulb can also be removableand replaceable. In one embodiment, the bulb may have a batterycompartment with a cover that can be removed to access the batteries. Inan alternate embodiment, the bulb may have batteries that are accessibleby unscrewing the top of the bulb and removing an assembly that containsthe circuitry, light source and a battery holder containing thebatteries. In an alternate embodiment, the bulb may be a recessedfixture wireless light bulb with the ability to remove and replace theexposed face of the recessed fixture to access of battery holder insidethe fixture. Alternate embodiments may include but are not limited toany known method of accessing a wireless light bulb to remove andreplace the batteries. The batteries can be non-rechargeable batteriesthat can be replaced or removed or can be rechargeable batteries thatcan be removed and recharged when capacity drops below a usable levelthen returned to the bulb. The non-rechargeable or rechargeablebatteries also can be embedded in the bulb permanently with no methodfor removal and replacement.

According to another illustration, a light socket or fixture can provideAC power that can be leveraged by the wireless light bulb in addition toone or more alternate power sources embedded in the wireless light bulb.The alternate power sources can be non-rechargeable or rechargeablebatteries, solar cell, fuel cell (such as and without limitation ahydrogen fuel cell, a reformed methanol fuel cell, or the like),collecting RF energy from the environment, electromagnetic induction,wave coupling, converting motion or heat to electrical energy, wirelesspower transmission, capacitors and any other form of wireless powermentioned herein. It is to be appreciated that the AC powered withalternate power source wireless light bulb can contain the intelligenceand control circuitry necessary to make use of any disparate wirelesspower source or sources in addition to or instead of the AC powersource. It is to be appreciated that the AC powered with alternate powersource wireless light bulb can be in the form of any bulb type, fixture,down light assembly, and the like, such as mentioned herein.

In one embodiment, rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries areembedded into the wireless light bulb such that the light source andcontrol circuitry can use either the AC power source or the embeddedbattery power source. In one example, there is circuitry inside thewireless light bulb that may detect that AC power is no longer present(power failure) or some other characteristic that makes AC power nolonger desirable to use (brownout conditions, electrical surges,overvoltage conditions, voltage sag or flickers, line noise, frequencyvariations, switching transients, harmonic distortion etc.) at the lightsocket, fixture or down light assembly. In this case the wireless lightbulb can switch over to battery power automatically to power the controlcircuitry and light source. This application, the uninterruptable powersupply light bulb, or UPS light bulb, provides emergency or safetylighting during a power outage. Additional intelligence may be designedinto the UPS light bulb to provide features or extend the amount of timeusable light may be available when powered by the embedded battery powersource. The UPS light bulb may contain a colored LED that blinks whenthe battery source is being used to provide an indication that the UPSlight bulb is being powered by the embedded battery source. In someembodiments, the UPS light bulb may contain intelligence to detect thebattery capacity level and adjust the light intensity level to extendthe amount of time there is usable light out of the UPS light bulb. Thismay take advantage of the characteristic of batteries that at lowercontinuous current levels the rate of battery drain will be lower. Byway of an example, if there is a short power outage, the initial lightintensity level may be a high level, however after some amount ofbattery drain over some period of time, the light intensity level may bedropped to a lower level requiring less continuous current from thebatteries, extending the amount of time the light source may run onbatteries (anticipating that the power outage may last a long period oftime). It is to be appreciated that any number of light intensity levelsmay be set based on any number of detected battery capacity levels. Inalternate embodiments, the change in light intensity level may becontrolled by time (timer, time of day clock etc) instead of monitoringbattery capacity levels. In such a case, the UPS bulb may containintelligence to use the timer or time source and adjust the lightintensity level to extend the amount of time there is usable light outof the UPS light bulb. In an alternate embodiment, a light sensor may bepresent in the UPS light bulb to sense the amount of ambient lightpresent and adjust the light intensity appropriately. In thisembodiment, the light sensor may extend the amount of time there isusable light when the embedded battery power source is used byoptimizing the amount of light output based on the detected light level.Using the light sensor to set the output light intensity may optimizethe drain on the embedded battery power source. In alternateembodiments, the UPS light bulb contains one or more methods of wirelesscontrol that may be used to provide additional functionality. By way ofan example, a motion sensor may be added to the bulb such that it willonly operate when motion is detected. By way of another example, the UPSlight bulb may contain a receiver to allow a remote control to turn iton, off, change light intensity, select the power source (allowing theUPS light bulb to be turned on or off independent of AC power) orcontrol any feature that may be present the UPS light bulb. The UPS bulbmay use a sensor as an alarm indication and in some cases use thatsensor information to select the power source. By way of an example, athermal sensor may detect heat and when the temperature level risesabove a threshold it may cause the UPS bulb to switch to battery powerand blink the light source in a way to indicate an alarm situation. Inalternate embodiments of the UPS bulb or any wireless light bulb, theymay contain one or more thermal sensors and be able to transmit via anRF or IR transmitter temperature information back to a thermostat or anydevice that may display or make use of temperature information in anyway.

The UPS light bulb may include circuitry to detect at the UPS light bulbconditions that may allow an intelligent decision on which power sourceto use. The UPS light bulb may need to detect whether the controllingswitch or breaker applying power to the UPS light bulb is open orclosed, if input AC power is present, if the quality of the input ACpower is acceptable, and the like. The UPS light bulb may monitor thepresence and quality of the input AC power with circuitry in the bulb todetect the presence of AC power and make a measurement of thecharacteristics of the AC power. It may also measure the impedance,resistance, and/or capacitance across the AC power input and return ormay measure any other electrical characteristic of the AC power inputand return to determine whether the controlling switch or breaker isopen or closed (or if electricity has been turned off at any point up tothe AC input of the UPS light bulb). By way of an example, if thecontrolling switch or breaker is open, there may be a high impedancedetected across the input AC power and return. If the controlling switchor breaker is closed, there may be a measurable impedance, resistanceand/or capacitance or electrical characteristic different from when thecontrolling switch or breaker is open. A threshold may be set in thebulb such that if the measurement is above or below the threshold, theswitch or breaker is closed, and if the measurement is on the oppositeside of the threshold, the switch or breaker is open. The UPS light bulbmay be controlled by the state of the controlling switch or breaker (onor off), but may also detect the condition when the controlling switchor breaker is closed but AC input power is not present or is notacceptable and may be able to switch over to the rechargeable ornon-rechargeable batteries that are embedded as the power source. Thus,the UPS light bulb may be able to switch to embedded battery powerwithout directly knowing whether the switch is open or close, but ratherby measuring the electrical characteristics of the AC input. In someembodiments, the UPS bulb may have circuitry to be able to detect theswitch transition from on to off or off to on. By way of an example, ina power outage, the wall switch may still be used to control the UPSbulb that is powered by battery to on or off such that even when AC isnot applied, a transition from switch closed to switch open will turnoff the UPS bulb that is powered by the embedded power source.

In some embodiments, the UPS light bulb may perform an impedancediscontinuity check to determine if the controlling switch or breaker isopen or closed. In some embodiments, the UPS light bulb may generate asignal onto the line and monitor the electrical response of the line todetermine if the response indicates an impedance discontinuity typicalof an open circuit that may be indicative of a switch or breaker open inthe lighting circuit or if the response indicates a closed circuittypical of a switch or breaker closed in the lighting circuit. By way ofan example, the UPS bulb may perform a function typical of a time domainreflectometer by generating a short rise time pulse at the connection toinput and monitor the input for a reflected signal that would beindicative of an open or closed circuit. If the reflected signal exceedsa set threshold, it may indicate an open circuit. In some embodiments,the UPS bulb may need to learn where such a threshold should be set. TheUPS bulb may be installed in many variations of lighting circuits wherethe amount, length, gauge or type of wiring to the switch or breaker mayvary and where there may be many other sources of loads on the lightingcircuit (such as other bulbs, multiple switches or controls etc.)therefore it may have to adjust its detection circuitry to operateproperly. It is to be appreciated that the setting of the threshold maybe done automatically by the UPS bulb or manually by a user through anyprocess that may allow the bulb to be set to a threshold where one sideof the threshold indicates the switch or breaker is open and the otherside of the threshold indicates the switch or breaker is closed. It isto be appreciated that when the switch sense functionality isimplemented, the switch or breaker may still be able to turn on and offpower to the UPS light bulb or wireless light bulb even when running offof the embedded battery power source because the UPS light bulb orwireless light bulb may be able to determine if the switch is on or offand apply power or not apply power to the UPS light bulb or wirelesslight bulb based on the switch position. In such a case, the switchsense circuitry may still need to be powered along with any othernecessary circuitry to implement this function even when the lightsource is not being powered.

In some embodiments the UPS bulb may be removed from the socket suchthat it may be carried around as a light source. As such the UPS bulbmay detect a different set of electrical characteristics of the AC inputof the UPS bulb when it is removed from the socket. Alternatively, theUPS bulb may be able to detect the switch transition from on to off, offto on or be able to detect that neither transition happened but therewas a change in the electrical characteristics and as such determinethat the bulb was removed from the socket. The removed bulb may become a“flashlight” when carried around by itself, plugged into a base unitthat has a handle or handheld in any manner conceivable such that it canbe carried around. The base unit may have a switch on it with a circuitconnected to the socket where the UPS bulb plugs in and can detectelectrical characteristics of the switch and circuit (similar to themeasurement of impedance, resistance and/or capacitance mentionedherein) such that the switch may be used to turn the UPS bulb on andoff. It is to be appreciated that the functionality described for theUPS light bulb may be designed in any size or shape housing to meet therequirements of any standard size bulb (e.g. PAR30, PAR38, A19, R30,MR16 etc), non-standard size bulb, fixture, compact fluorescent bulb,fluorescent bulb or lamp (e.g. T4, T5, T8, circular etc.) or down lightassembly (e.g. recessed fixtures, fluorescent fixtures or down lightfixtures for residential, commercial or industrial lighting), or thelike.

In one embodiment where rechargeable batteries are the alternate powersource, circuitry can also be present in the bulb to control therecharging of the batteries while AC power is applied (trickle charge,slow charge, fast charge etc.) and under what conditions the rechargingwill happen (time of day, battery capacity level, any time AC power isapplied etc.). It is also to be appreciated that the batteries can berecharged through an alternate interface such as a USB connector or anyform of wireless power on the wireless light bulb mentioned herein.

In such a case when there is a USB connector on the bulb, the USBconnector may also be used as a communication interface to program thebulb. The AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb can attach toa computer via USB directly or over a USB cable to connect the bulb forprogramming. In other embodiments, different interface types on the bulbsuch as Ethernet, IEEE 1394 Fire Wire, Serial Port or the like can beused to connect to a computer directly or by cable to program the bulb.In another example, a programming adapter connected to the computer thatthe wireless light bulb can plug into or connect to electrically andmechanically in any known manner may serve as the interface to programthe bulb. In other embodiments, an RF or IR adapter that can plug into acomputer directly or via a cable using any of the interface types listedmay send programming information to one or more wireless light bulbscontaining an RF or IR receiver or transceiver to program the wirelesslight bulbs. In some embodiments, an RF or IR interface to the wirelesslight bulb can be provided by any intelligent device (remote control,keypad, PDA, computer, laptop, custom circuit design etc.) with the RFor IR interface and the ability to communicate with the wireless lightbulbs can be used to program the wireless light bulbs. A softwareprogram or other device that allows a user to set the state of the bulbbased on timer or time of day, auto shut-off times, color temperature,light strength (glow levels, low light levels, dimming/fadingfunctions), motion sensitivity and listening on times, lightsensitivity, level of ambient light controlled by a photocell, energyusage control to control light output based on a desired amount ofenergy usage over time, network parameters (unique IDs, network IDs,multicast IDs, broadcast IDs, IP address, routing and forwardinginformation for the network, WIFI SSIDs, ZIGBEE PAN IDs and network IDs,BLUETOOTH, X10 four bit house code, INSTEON address or the like), sensorparameters (detection thresholds for setting the state of the bulb,timer and time of day settings for when the sensor is active and thelike) etc. is used to connect to and program the state of the bulb. Itis to be appreciated that the AC powered battery embedded wireless lightbulb may contain the intelligence necessary to implement theprogrammable functions.

In addition to controlling the lighting installation, the sensors andintelligence that are designed into wireless light bulbs andcommunication interface implemented in the wireless light bulbs mayallow the wireless light bulbs installed to also perform functions inaddition to lighting. This applies to AC powered, battery embedded, ACpowered battery embedded or any combination of power source wirelesslight bulbs mentioned herein. The embedded sensors and intelligencetogether with the communication interface may allow a single wirelesslight bulb to implement functionality beyond just lighting. Multiplewireless light bulbs may form a sensor network to add useful functionsto a lighting installation where multiple wireless light bulbs may beindividually controlled or work as a network to implement one or morefunctions in addition to lighting. A software program or intelligentdevice may allow a user to gather status from a sensor in the wirelesslight bulb or from intelligence designed into the wireless light bulbover the communication interface such as but not limited to temperature,ambient light levels, battery capacity levels, energy usage statistics,on and off time records, sensor detection data and statistics (motiondetections per some unit of time, switch actuation information togenerate an alarm, smoke detector alarm signals etc.), network usagestatistics or information that can be gathered from any sensor orintelligence built into the wireless light bulb. A software program orintelligent device may also receive a stream of data collected by asensor of the wireless light bulb over the communication interface suchas but not limited to audio from a microphone, a video stream from acamera, pictures from a digital camera, RFID tag read information (i.e.an RFID tag reader), etc. A software program or intelligent device mayalso control a device inside the wireless light bulb over thecommunication interface to implement any function such as but notlimited to a speaker to make announcements or generate sound, a horn togenerate alarms, enable a circuit to energize or de-energize a relay orother switch control, turn on or off a motor, etc.

In one use case, the design is a par30 motion sensor wireless light bulbor a 6″ recessed fixture motion sensor wireless light bulb. They areinstalled in office space in 50 different locations in addition thelighting that is installed. Software running on a computer allows asecurity guard to communicate with and receive status from the wirelesslight bulbs. When a wireless light bulb detects motion, it sends amessage to the security guard's computer that motion has been detectedand which bulb has detected the motion (i.e. the location where themotion is). The security guard receives a message or an alarm thatmotion has been detected in one of 50 locations which may provide anindication of a security issue or that someone is not where they aresupposed to be. In some embodiments, a software application may send ane-mail, XML message or any other type of message to provide alerts tothe end user based on the message received from a wireless light bulb orwireless lighting module. In some cases, a software application maystore in memory or a database a record of the motion detections overtime. In an alternate use case, the wireless light bulbs record astatistic called “number of motion detections since last read”. Asoftware application can read that statistic from each wireless lightbulb and determine how to most efficiently use the lighting by time ofday and usage profile. It can be used not only to control lighting butfor occupancy studies in building management, used to record the flow oftraffic past a certain point, and the like. In one possible use, thesensor may not control lighting, but is used for the informationprovided by the sensor in addition to the light that is used forillumination.

In another use case, the design is a recessed fixture RFID readerwireless light bulb. They are installed in office space in 50 differentlocations in addition the lighting that is installed. Employees andguests are issued identification, such as badges that are RFID tags oraccess cards that can be read by the RFID reader or the access cardreader in the wireless light bulb. In addition, RFID tags can beattached to assets for operational efficiency and theft prevention.Software running on a computer receives the reads of the identificationsbadges or asset tags and can provide an indication of current or lastknow location within the building with respect to the location of theRFID reader wireless light bulbs. This provides the building manager theability to find, track or review the real time or historical movementsof employees, guests or assets. This functionality can be used forsafety, security, operational efficiency, etc.

In another use case, a wireless light bulb has a speaker or alarm hornin it that allows announcements to be made (like an intercom systemwhich could be two way if the units had a microphone on them also) oralarm sounds to be generated in certain emergency situations. In analternate use case, a wireless light bulb is installed as a porch lightwith a microphone and speaker built in. A user can push a button on anintercom box inside of their house to talk or listen to a visitorthrough the porch light microphone and speaker.

In another use case, a wireless light bulb or battery powered wirelesslighting fixture may have a motion sensor and RF transmitter in additionto the light source. When motion is detected, the light source may beturned on and an indication that motion was detected may be transmittedto an RF receiver. The RF receiver may be connected to an intelligentdevice such as a computer that may allow the motion indication to beinterpreted. For example, in a health care application, a wireless lightbulb or battery powered wireless light fixture may be installed in thebathroom of a hospital room or in the hallway of the hospital floor.When motion is detected in the bathroom or hallway, the light may beturned on and an indication that motion was detected may be received atthe nurse's station. If there is a reason that a patient should not bemoving, then that indication may be an alarm indication providingallowing the nurse to take action immediately. Unique IDs may be set ineach of the wireless light bulbs or battery powered wireless lightingfixtures such that, by knowing the location of the installed wirelesslight bulb or battery powered wireless lighting fixture, the location ofthe source of motion may be known.

Batteries in an AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb can alsobe removable and replaceable. In one embodiment, the bulb may have abattery compartment with a cover that can be removed to access thebatteries. In an alternate embodiment, the bulb may have batteries thatare accessible by unscrewing the top of the bulb and removing anassembly that contains the circuitry, light source and a battery holdercontaining the batteries. In an alternate embodiment, the bulb is arecessed fixture wireless light bulb with the ability to remove andreplace the exposed face of the recessed fixture to access of batteryholder inside the fixture. Alternate embodiments may include but are notlimited to any known method of accessing a wireless light bulb to removeand replace the batteries. The batteries can be non-rechargeablebatteries that can be replaced or removed or can be rechargeablebatteries that can be removed and recharged when capacity drops below ausable level then returned to the bulb. The non-rechargeable orrechargeable batteries also can be embedded in the bulb permanently withno method for removal and replacement.

In one embodiment, a PAR30 AC powered battery embedded wireless lightbulb contains a single battery cell and a charge pump LED driver togenerate the necessary drive voltage and current for the LED lightsource. In this example, the single battery cell is a NiMH rechargeableD cell battery. Using a single battery cell allows the design to fitwithin the design constraints of the PAR30 bulb type. It is to beappreciated that any number or type of battery can be used. A chargingcircuit that supports NiMH charging in circuit is also part of theelectronics inside the bulb. There is also circuitry inside the bulb toallow each power source to be used independently or to share the loaddepending on whether each power source is present and able to supplypower to the wireless light bulb. It is to be appreciated that any formof wireless control mentioned herein can be used in conjunction withthis embodiment.

In an alternate example, the UPS light bulb also contains an RF receiverthat allows the UPS light bulb to receive control commands over an RFcommunication link. In one example, an RF transmitter can be coupledwith an AC detection circuit such that when it detects that AC power hasdropped out (i.e. there is a power outage) or some other characteristicthat makes AC power no longer desirable to use (brownout conditions,electrical surges, overvoltage conditions, voltage sag or flickers, linenoise, frequency variations, switching transients, harmonic distortion,etc.) it will send a command to the UPS light bulb to switch it over tobattery power. Upon detection that AC power is back on or is desirableto use, the RF transmitter can send a command to switch over to ACpower. This power outage module in the form of an RF transmitter and ACdetection circuitry in a housing can be designed to operate plugged intoan electrical wall socket, hardwired into or as a replacement for an ACwall light switch to allow detection of the state of AC power prior tothe switch independent of the on/off position of the wall switch, can behardwired directly into a breaker box to determine the state of powerwhere it enters a residence or building, can be wired into an emergencycircuit and respond to an emergency on signal or can be wired into anypoint in a power distribution system that a user may want to detect adrop out in AC power. The RF transmitter and AC detection circuitry canbe powered off of AC power or powered by batteries. In addition tocontrolling a AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb, it is tobe appreciated that the RF transmitter and AC detection circuitry cancontrol battery or AC powered fixtures that may not be wireless lightbulbs, but rather stair lights, spotlights, path lights, exit signs andlighting, stair well lights, floor lights, ceiling lights etc to providelighting in an emergency situation. It is to be appreciated that anetwork of wireless light bulbs and fixtures with RF transceivers may becreated to propagate control messages through the network to control anyinstalled lights from one or more RF transmitter and AC detectioncircuits. It is to be appreciated that any command can be sent as itrelates to the state of AC power as detected by the detection circuitry.For example, to conserve energy or save money on an energy bill, the RFtransmitter and AC detection circuitry may monitor power usage on awired circuit and send a dimming command or a command to set thebrightness of the lights on the wired circuit to a lower level whenpower usage exceeds some threshold, but at some later time send a secondcommand returning the lights on the wired circuit to a brighter levelthus allowing power usage on that wired circuit to stay below someaverage usage level. In some embodiments, the RF transmitter and ACdetection circuitry contains circuitry to act as a load control switchreceiving a load control command from the power company and transmittingto one or more wireless light bulbs to turn off, change light intensity,switch over all or a portion of the load to battery power etc. Inalternate embodiments, the unit does not contain AC detection circuitryand is just a load control switch with an RF transmitter that maycontrol the wireless light bulbs in an installation in a demand responseenergy efficiency system, for load control purposes and the like. Thiswireless lighting load control switch may contain a timer such thatafter it receives a command from the power company to change to a lowerenergy consumption state, the wireless lighting load control switch maystart a timer and when the timer expires the wireless lighting loadcontrol switch will send a command returning to the original state ofoperation or to another state of operation.

In some embodiments the power outage module may be connected to anemergency lighting circuit such that if the emergency lighting circuitforces a switch to emergency lighting, the emergency lighting poweroutage module will detect the emergency lighting circuit turning on andwill transmit a message to the UPS light bulbs, wireless light bulbs andbattery powered wireless lighting fixtures to switch on or to somededicated emergency lighting function. For example, the UPS light bulbs,wireless light bulbs and battery powered wireless lighting fixtures mayswitch to a lower light level when switched over to battery power in anemergency situation to extend battery life during the emergency. Inanother example, the UPS light bulbs, wireless light bulbs and batterypowered wireless lighting fixtures may blink the lights to indicate theemergency situation.

In some embodiments, the power outage module may contain a light sourcesuch that in cases where it is detachable, it may be removed and used asa light source powered by batteries. In such a case, a user may detachthe power outage module and walk around using it in a manner similar toa flashlight. In some embodiments, the RF transmitter and AC detectorcircuit may contain forms of wireless controls such as sensors tocontrol the lights during a power outage but also in normal operation.By way of an example, a power outage module may work as described, butalso contain a motion sensor such that when motion is detected undernormal circumstances, a control message is transmitted to the wirelesslight bulbs and wireless lighting modules within range to control them,but in a power outage situation would transmit a different controlmessage. In alternate embodiments, sensors may be modules that plug intothe power outage module. In such a case, the power outage module maycontain a connector to allow a sensor module to be installed. By way ofan example, a user may plug in a light sensor module such that ameasurement of the amount of ambient light detected by the light sensormay be transmitted to the wireless light bulbs and wireless lightingmodules. It is to be appreciated that the sensor may be plugged inpermanently or plugged in temporarily. In the example using the lightsensor module, the light sensor module may be used to make a one-timemeasurement of ambient light in an area to adjust the light, thenremoved or it may be permanently installed to allow the wireless lightbulbs and wireless lighting modules to continuously adjust lightintensity to match the ambient light detected to maintain some net lightlevel. In some embodiments, the power outage module may send any type ofmessage to control the wireless light bulbs and wireless lightingmodules to achieve any functionality mentioned herein. By way of anexample, the power outage module may send a message setting the lightintensity level, programming an auto shutoff time, changing the way thecontrolled lights manage power and the like. It is to be appreciatedthat the power outage module may control UPS light bulbs, wireless lightbulbs with integrated power sources, battery powered wireless lightingfixtures etc.

In some embodiments the power outage module may be a removable moduleand may act as a remote control such that a user may be able to removethe module or a part of the module from where it is installed and walkaround with a remote control to control the wireless light bulbs andbattery powered wireless lighting fixtures. In such an embodiment, theremote control power outage module may have button, switches, dials andthe like to allow it to select and control lights on, off, the lightintensity level etc. In some embodiments, the remote control poweroutage module may have an LCD touch screen or the like that would allowthe user to control the lighting. In some cases, the remote controlpower outage module may be a control panel mounted to a wall thatmonitors the AC input and allows a user to control the lightinginstallation. In one embodiment, the power outage module remains inplace, but an alternate remote control may be used to control thelighting. By way of an example, an IPHONE running an application andwith a communication interface that may communicate with the wirelesslight bulbs and wireless lighting modules may allow control of thelights. It is to be appreciated that the remote control may use anycommunication interface and may contain any type of control mentionedherein. In some embodiments, the remote control power outage module orany other remote control mentioned herein may automatically detect whena bulb or fixture has been powered on.

In some embodiments, a power outage module may contain wireless powersource such as a battery. Thus, the power outage module may be able tocontinue operation in the absence of AC power. The power outage modulemay draw its power from AC, its embedded wireless power source or both.It is to be appreciated that the power outage module will contain thecircuitry and/or intelligence to manage which power source to use. Inalternate embodiments, the power outage module may not contain anembedded wireless power source. In this embodiment, the power outagemodule may send regular messages (“keep alives”) to the wireless lightbulbs and wireless lighting modules such that as long as the wirelesslights continue to receive the messages on a regular interval, thewireless lights should continue to operate normally. If the power outagemodule detects a problem with the AC power or its AC power is no longerpresent (i.e. it shuts off and hence stops transmitting), the wirelesslight bulbs and wireless lighting modules will not receive these keepalive messages from the power outage module for some period of time andas such determine that there is a problem with detected AC power andchange state as necessary. By way of an example, the wireless lightbulbs and wireless lighting modules may switch to an emergency mode andchange their behavior in some way. Using a mechanism such that thewireless light bulbs and wireless lighting modules are required to hearthe transmission of the power outage module at regular intervalsprevents the case where the power outage module is disabled or blockedfrom transmitting in an emergency situation.

In another embodiment, the AC powered battery embedded wireless lightbulb can be controlled by a motion sensor. It may or may not also becontrolled by a light sensor to enable operation only in a low level ofambient light. The batteries can be rechargeable or non-rechargeable.The motion sensor controls the AC powered battery embedded wirelesslight bulb such that when motion has not been detected, the light sourceis set to a glow or a low light level powered by the embedded batteries.When motion is detected and a brighter light is required, the light willbe turned on powered by the AC power source and it will be turned on toa bright level. The motion sensor can be powered by the batteries or bythe AC power source. In one embodiment, the AC powered battery embeddedwireless light bulb can work even when the AC power switch is off. Forexample, at night the AC wall light switch can be turned off, but themotion sensor and light source will still work using the embeddedbatteries as a power source. By way of an example, an R30 type ACpowered battery embedded wireless light bulb can be controlled by motionsensor or by the wall switch with the light source powered by AC when ACpower is applied and can be controlled by a motion sensor with the lightsource powered by the batteries when AC power is not present. The motionsensor is powered by the batteries in this example. In another example,the motion circuitry and low level light are powered by battery power,but when AC is applied, the light is set to it bright level independentof the motion sensor.

In an alternate embodiment, the AC powered battery embedded wirelesslight bulb can have multiple light levels that are controlled by themotion sensor. For example, it can have a bright light level but revertto a glow or low light level when the timer reaches a predeterminedthreshold to conserve energy but also provide a low level of light untilmotion is detect to turn on to the bright light level. In an alternateembodiment, logic can maintain the bright light level for some period oftime, but then can control the light to fade to a glow or low lightlevel by slowly dimming the light source over some preset orprogrammable period of time until it reaches the glow or low lightlevel. In another alternate embodiment, the motion sensor can controlthe bulb if it is operating using the AC power source or if it isoperating using the embedded battery power source. For example, thereare two operational modes. First, if AC power is on the motion sensorand associated logic controls whether the light source is on or off andwhat brightness level it is on at. Second, if AC is off, the motionsensor operates with the light powered by the battery power source. Thebrightness level may or may not be different whether power is from theAC source or the battery source.

In another embodiment, the AC powered battery embedded wireless lightbulb can be controlled by RF or IR. Thus, the input component can be anRF or IR receiver that can obtain an RF or IR signal communicated froman RF or IR transmitter that can be utilized by logic inside the bulb tocontrol operation of the light source. The RF or IR transmitter can comein the form of remote control, keyfob, wall switch or any othercontroller that can house the RF or IR circuitry and user controlmechanism. According to this example, the RF or IR signal can bedeciphered by the input component to effectuate switching the lightsource to an on or off state, changing a light color or a lightintensity, and the like. By way of an example, dimming commands can besent to control the AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb tospecific levels in response to commands received from the RF or IRtransmitter in a remote control or wall switch. Controls (switches, pushbuttons, dials, control wheel, etc) on a remote control or wall switchcan increase or decrease the light level, set the level to glow, low orhigh light level directly etc. The wireless light bulb can be commandedto use AC power, battery power, switch from on to the other at varioustimes as set by timers, time of day or sunrise/sunset calendarinformation maintained by intelligence in the bulb, can be commanded toswitch over when an AC outage is detected, can be commanded to energyconservation modes automatically switching to different light levelsupon any detectable state of the power or controls of the bulb etc. Byway of an example, a PAR38 type AC powered battery embedded wirelesslight bulb can be controlled by RF or IR or by the wall switch with thelight source powered by AC when AC power is applied and can becontrolled by RF or IR with the light source powered by the batterieswhen AC power is not present.

Additionally or alternatively, the input component of the AC poweredbattery embedded wireless light bulb can be one or more sensors thatmonitor a condition, and monitored information yielded by such sensor(s)can be utilized to effectuate adjustments associated with the lightsource and the selection of which power source to use and under whatconditions. It is to be appreciated that any type of sensor(s) can beutilized in connection with the claimed subject matter. For example, thesensor(s) can be one or more of infrared sensors, light sensors,proximity sensors, magnetic switch sensor, acoustic sensors, voiceactivated sensor, motion sensors, radar sensors, sonar sensors, carbonmonoxide and/or smoke detectors, thermal sensors, electromagneticsensors, mechanical sensors, chemical sensors, pressure sensor, RFID tagreader or detection circuit and the like. According to another example,the input component can be a connector, port, etc. that couples to adisparate device, sensor, etc. to receive the input signal. It is alsoappreciated that any combination of RF, IR, motion or the sensors listedherein can be utilized in connection with the claimed subject matter. Itis also appreciated that the light (off, glow, on at low level, on atbright level etc) and the transition between light levels can becontrolled by any detectable state of the sensor or sensors. It is alsoto be appreciated that intelligence in the form of logic, electricalcircuitry, microcontrollers, microprocessors, memory devices etc.contained in the bulb can leverage the sensors to monitor patterns ofRF, IR or sensor inputs, keep the patterns in memory over time ifnecessary and adjust individual lights based on the pattern. Thus the ACpowered battery embedded wireless light bulb has the ability to learnfrom inputs from its environment and change behavior accordingly.

In an alternate embodiment, the wireless light bulb can take commandsfrom a communication interface from an external source by wiredconnection over a power distribution network, for example on the ACpower lines (X10, INSTEON, Broadband over Power Lines, proprietarycommunication scheme etc), or wirelessly through a wireless interface(dedicated RF communication link, ZIGBEE, WIFI, ENOCEAN, BLUETOOTH etc).For example, the electric company can control or gather status from ACpowered battery embedded wireless light bulbs throughout its powerdistribution network to remotely offload power usage at times when powerdemand is high by commanding some portion or the entire distributednetwork of wireless light bulbs to switchover to battery backup.Rechargeable batteries can be charged for some period of time to storepower when power usage is off peak, then be used to off load some of thedemand by supplying power for the bulb when power usage is on peak.Non-rechargeable batteries can also be used for emergency powerrequirements. In an alternate example, the control of wireless lightbulbs can be local in a residence or commercial building through acentral source controlling building lighting to optimize energyconsumption. The control and gathering of status may be done by anintelligent electrical meter, smart meter, and the like. In such a casethe meter may directly communicate with one or more wireless light bulbsover an appropriate communication interface using a protocol that allowsthe wireless light bulbs and meter to exchange information. By way of anexample, the wireless light bulb may measure the amount of powerconsumed over a period of time and an intelligent electrical meter,smart meter, a remote device, and the like, through an intelligentelectrical meter, smart meter, and the like (for example via the smartgrid), may retrieve that information to provide that information for anypurpose. In another example, an intelligent electrical meter, smartmeter, a remote device, and the like, through an intelligent electricalmeter, smart meter, and the like, may control the wireless light bulb toturn it on, off, set the light intensity level, control which powersource or sources are used (battery, AC and/or a wireless power source),retrieve any information from a wireless light bulb or control anysensor or intelligence present in a wireless light bulb in the lightinginstallation. In addition to controlling a switchover to battery power,other applications are possible. Information or a record of usage canalso be stored and retrieved. The stored data may pertain to power usagehowever it may also pertain to sensor gathered information. For example,the bulb can contain an occupancy sensor, like a motion sensor, that canrecord times and levels of occupancy in an area that can later beretrieved.

In embodiments, a building management unit in the form of a separatepiece of equipment may communicate with the installed wireless lightbulbs with existing power lines, tapping onto existing power lines orthrough a wireless interface such as a dedicated RF communicationinterface in residential or commercial buildings. This unit may sendcommands using one of the possible communication interfaces such thatwireless light bulbs in the lighting installation can be programmed,controlled, and information or status can be retrieved for energycontrol and conservation, emergency functions, for safety and security,for convenience and any other functionality desired by a user. Thebuilding management unit may be controlled to implement the desiredfunctionality via any method mentioned herein. By way of an example, thebuilding manager unit with an RF communication interface may communicateto a network of wireless light bulbs that allows it to communicate withany wireless light bulb in the network. The unit may also have anEthernet interface on the unit and have an IP address assigned to theinterface. A software program running on the unit may allow a user toopen a web browser and type in the IP address assigned to the unit. Agraphical user interface served by the building management unit may openup providing a method for the user to implement the desiredfunctionality. The building management unit may communicate with a anintelligent electrical meter, smart meter, and the like, over anappropriate communication interface using a protocol that allows thebuilding management unit, which controls the installation of wirelesslight bulbs, and meter to exchange information. For example, thebuilding management unit may communicate over a communication interfacewith an intelligent electrical meter, smart meter and the like by wiredconnection over a power distribution network, for example on the ACpower lines (X10, INSTEON, Broadband over Power Lines, proprietarycommunication scheme etc), or wirelessly through a wireless interface(dedicated RF communication link, ZIGBEE, Wi-Fi, ENOCEAN, BLUETOOTHetc). By way of an example, the building management unit may measure theamount of power consumed over a period of time and an intelligentelectrical meter, smart meter, a remote device, and the like, through anintelligent electrical meter, smart meter, and the like (for example viathe smart grid), may retrieve that information to provide thatinformation for any purpose. In another example, an intelligentelectrical meter, smart meter, a remote device, and the like, through anintelligent electrical meter, smart meter, and the like, may control thebuilding management unit to control the lighting installation to turnlights on, off, set the light intensity level, control which powersource or sources are used (battery, AC and/or a wireless power source),retrieve any information from the wireless light bulbs in the lightinginstallation or control any sensor or intelligence present in thewireless light bulbs in the lighting installation.

In an alternate embodiment, a lighting circuit control unit may beattached to one or more electrical circuits within a residential orcommercial building and implement building management unit functionalityon the circuit or circuits it is connected to. The lighting circuitcontrol unit may attach electrically to the circuit at any point orcommunicate through an RF or IR communication interface. It may come inany form that allows it to use those communication interfaces. Forexample, it can be an RF transceiver with keypad, a hard wired box etc.retrofit into the wall switch, connected elsewhere in the circuit or asa standalone unit. The unit can control all wireless light bulbs it cancommunicate with or through a network of wireless light bulbs for energycontrol and conservation, emergency functions, for safety and security,for convenience and any other functionality as desired by a user basedon an input from a sensor, time of day clock, human input, etc. Uniqueor group IDs may be assigned to multiple circuits, individual circuitsor individual wireless light bulbs such that a user can control thelighting installation one wireless light bulbs, distinct groups ofwireless light bulbs or the entire lighting installation from one ormore lighting circuit control units. By way of an example, a wall switchis retrofit with a lighting circuit control unit that is electricallyinserted in line with AC power to a lighting circuit consisting of sixR30 AC powered battery backed wireless light bulbs inserted intorecessed fixtures. The lighting circuit control unit has an LCD displayand push buttons that allow a user to scroll through a list ofconfiguration items that can program the wireless light bulbs or a listof status that can be gathered from the lighting circuit working muchlike a thermostat for the lighting installation. The lighting circuitcontrol unit communicates with the wireless light bulbs using aproprietary communication over power lines method to implement thefunctionality set by the user. The lighting circuit control unit maycommunicate with a smart meter over an appropriate communicationinterface using a protocol that allows the lighting circuit controlunit, which controls the installation of wireless light bulbs, and meterto exchange information. For example, the lighting circuit control unitmay communicate over a communication interface with an intelligentelectrical meter, smart meter and the like by wired connection over apower distribution network, for example on the AC power lines (X10,INSTEON, Broadband over Power Lines, proprietary communication schemeetc), or wirelessly through a wireless interface (dedicated RFcommunication link, ZIGBEE, Wi-Fi, ENOCEAN, BLUETOOTH etc). By way of anexample, the lighting circuit control unit may measure the amount ofpower consumed over a period of time and an intelligent electricalmeter, smart meter, a remote device, and the like, through anintelligent electrical meter, smart meter, and the like (for example viathe smart grid), may retrieve that information to provide thatinformation for any purpose. In another example, an intelligentelectrical meter, smart meter, a remote device, and the like, through anintelligent electrical meter, smart meter, and the like, may control thelighting circuit control unit to control the lighting circuit to turnlights on, off, set the light intensity level, control which powersource or sources are used (battery, AC and/or a wireless power source),retrieve any information from the wireless light bulbs on the lightingcircuit or control any sensor or intelligence present in the wirelesslight bulbs on the lighting circuit.

In an alternate embodiment, a direct personal control ability existssuch that a user may control one or more wireless light bulbs andwireless lighting modules from their computer, handheld, remote controletc. In such a case, there may be a building management unit or largersoftware control system in place, but direct personal control may allowa user direct control of the lighting that affects that user. It is tobe appreciated that the building management unit or larger softwarecontrol system may contain the intelligence to identify that a userlocally changed the configuration and update its configurationappropriately or notify a system administrator of the change implementedlocally. The direct personal control ability may allow a user toconfigure one light or a group of lights to implement a coordinatedfunction. By way of an example, an employee in an office may have asoftware application running on their computer and an adapter connectedto the computer that allows the software application to communicate withthe group of lights associated with the employee office and the hallwayoutside of the employee office. That employee has knowledge of when theywill be in their office and when they will not. They may arrive earlyand leave early during the day, have multiple meetings such that theywill not be in the office and so forth. That employee may also havepreferences for the lighting in their office. The employee may use thesoftware application to configure the wireless light bulbs and wirelesslighting modules in their office and hallway outside of their office forany of the functionality offered by the wireless light bulbs andwireless lighting modules. In this case, the direct personal controlsystem may be implemented using the communication interface from thecomputer on the employee's desk to the wireless light bulbs and wirelesslighting modules. Because the intelligence in the wireless light bulbsand wireless lighting modules is distributed, the employee may configurethe units locally no matter what the state of the larger system is.

In embodiments containing a coordinated lighting group, there may beindividually addressable lights as well as groups of lights (multicastand broadcast groups). Thus, a light may need to have multiple addressesassigned to it and as such may need to respond to control and returnstatus based on every address assigned to it whether it is an individualaddress or group address. It is also to be appreciated that multipleindividual addresses may be assigned to the same light such that thecontrolling sources may use different addresses to communicate with alight. By way of an example, direct personal control coming from auser's computer may communicate with a light on a different address thanthe building management system. This may be done so that there aredifferent levels of access to the bulb from a security perspective. Thesystem administrator may have access to more functionality than the usertherefore multiple addresses may be used to define privileges. In someembodiments, a light may listen to commands intended for another lightsand respond accordingly. By way of an example, a light may be the masterand the other lights in a coordinated lighting group may be slaves. Whenthe master is commanded to implement a daylight harvesting change, forexample it is commanded to change its light intensity based on a newconfiguration, the slave lights may receive that command. After someperiod of time when the master has completed adjusting its lightintensity change, the slave lights will then change their lightintensity to also implement the daylight harvesting change. In thismanner, the lights may gracefully implement daylight harvesting in asequence that they will not be adjusting against each other.

In another embodiment, the AC powered battery embedded wireless lightbulb contains rechargeable batteries. The light source can be powered byAC power, battery power or both. For example, power to the light sourcecan be diode or-ed such that AC power and battery power share the load.The battery power can be charged all of the time or can contain theintelligence to be programmed to charge only when billing rates from theelectric company are low. The sharing of the load between AC power andbattery power given that the batteries will charge at least some of thetime at off peak billing rates from the electric company and the lightsource will be on for at least some of the time that billing rates arehigher or at their peak will result in energy savings and conservation.The bulb can contain the intelligence (microcontroller, microprocessor,real time clock etc.) such that it can be programmed to charge thebattery power at the times when the billing rates are at their lowestthe energy savings and conservation can be maximized. Thus, the ACpowered battery embedded wireless light bulb has the ability of “movingpower in time” by storing power at some time and using the power atanother time. The AC powered battery embedded bulb may or may notcontain a sensor to control operation. The intelligence may use a realtime clock and be programmed to use the AC input and charge thebatteries during off peak billing times and use battery power during onpeak billing times such that there is an overall cost savings in energyusage. By way of an example, the AC powered battery embedded bulb may beprogrammed for operation based on a Time of Use (TOU) price plan fromthe energy company. The rechargeable battery capacity may or may not beenough to power the light source for the entire duration of the on peakbilling time. In such a case, the intelligence may be able to switchbetween power sources or control a sharing of the load between batterypower and AC input power based on a measurement of battery capacitylevel, power use from the embedded batteries and from the AC input orany other measurable parameter that allows for an optimization for costor minimize power consumption of the combined use of embedded batteriesand AC input power.

In embodiments, the electric company may implement load shedding or loadleveling using AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulbs,building management units and/or lighting control units throughout itspower distribution network by remotely offloading power usage at timeswhen power demand is high by commanding some portion or the entiredistributed network of wireless light bulbs to switchover to batterypower. In some embodiments, the wireless light bulbs, buildingmanagement units and/or lighting control units may receive a loadcontrol signal from the electric company or end user to implement loadshedding. The control may force a reduction in power consumption fromthe AC input by either reducing power usage (by dimming light levels forexample) or by switching some portion of or all of the power source tobattery power. In some embodiments, the wireless light bulbs, buildingmanagement units and/or lighting control units may respond to supplyconditions to implement demand response during peak or critical times orbased on market prices by adjusting usage or by switching some portionor all of the power source to battery power. In some embodiments, loadshedding or demand response may happen without an explicit command fromthe electric company. By way of an example, the power source for thewireless light bulb may be shared by the AC input and embeddedrechargeable batteries all of the time. The rechargeable batteries maybe charging all of the time or only during off peak times. Thus, duringpeak times, by having the AC input and rechargeable batteries share theload, the average power drawn from the AC input will be significantlylower during peak times if the AC input supplied all of the power. Inalternate embodiments, the embedded batteries may always be the powersource and the AC input power is used to charge the battery. Thus, thepower required from the AC input will only be as much as is required tocharge the battery and at its peak will only be as much as the batterycharging cycle requires. The functionality to manage power anddistribute the load during peak times may be programmed into anintelligent wireless light bulb and not require an external command toenter the load shedding mode. The intelligence may also be embedded inthe wireless light bulb to receive commands to perform further loadshedding functions if needed. For example, the percentage load from theAC input and from the embedded battery may be programmable based on timeof day if there is a particular knowledge of when the peak demand timesare, the light intensity level may be programmable to further reducepower consumption, a sensor such as a motion sensor may be enabled toswitchover to occupancy sensing to reduce power consumption etc.

In alternate embodiments, the AC powered battery embedded wireless lightbulb contains rechargeable batteries and can return power to the grid.The rechargeable battery is charged when AC is on or can be programmedto charge at specific times or under specific conditions. The bulb canreturn power to grid when the bulb is off or when power can be returnedbecause power stored exceeds power usage by some level. The result, asmore bulbs are installed, is a distributed power network that allowspower to be “stored” in every home, office building, retails space etc.that the bulbs are installed in and the stored energy can be returned tothe grid when needed by the electric company. Backup storagecapabilities that can be used to feed the grid during peaks in energydemand can offload the burden of power generation on the grid and canprovide revenue or savings on the energy bill to end users. It is to beappreciated that any form of wireless power can be present in the bulbto harvest energy from the environment and charge the embedded batteriesto form an energy generation source to send power from the environmentto the grid. In some embodiments, the electric company may perform loadshedding or load leveling by commanding an end user to use some localstored energy or the electric company may make use of the returnedstored power to meet peak demand requirements. This may be doneindependently as determined by intelligence in the wireless light bulb,may be commanded by the user or may be commanded by the electric company(for example through a load control signal or a new type of signal thattriggers the return of stored power to the grid).

In another embodiment, battery backup is built into AC powered recessedfixtures or down light assemblies for residential or industriallighting. The battery backup can be switched over to if there is adropout of AC power or some other characteristic is detected that makesAC power no longer desirable to use (brownout conditions, electricalsurges, overvoltage conditions, voltage sag or flickers, line noise,frequency variations, switching transients, harmonic distortion, etc.)to the fixture for emergency or safety applications or for energyefficiency purposes. In addition, a sensor or RF control may be builtinto the fixture or down light assembly such that they can be wirelesscontrolled or programmed. For example, an RF receiver can be built intothe fixture or down light assembly. In alternate embodiments, thefixtures or down light assemblies may contain and use as a power sourceany combination of AC power and/or wireless power sources mentionedherein.

In another illustrative embodiment, a version of the wireless light bulbmay provide for AC powered battery embedded LED recessed fixture 2100applications. With reference to FIG. 21, illustrated is a perspectiveview of an embodiment of an AC powered battery embedded LED recessedfixture 2100. In the illustrated embodiment, the AC powered batteryembedded LED recessed fixture 2100 includes a housing 2110, an AC input2120, a printed circuit for AC/DC conversion and battery managementfunctions 2130, a battery holder 2140, a printed circuit for a motionsensor circuit and LED drive circuitry 2150, a plurality of LEDs 2160and a motion sensor 2170. In an alternate embodiment, the AC input isnot used and the unit is solely powered by the embedded batteries thuselements 2120 and 2130 are not present or are not used.

By way of an example, an LED based 2×2, 2×4, and the like fluorescentreplacement wireless light bulb may be designed with rechargeable ornon-rechargeable batteries embedded and a circuit that makes the LEDreplacement bulb look like a fluorescent bulb to the ballast controlleror otherwise allows the LED replacement bulb to operate with the ballastin place. An LED based 2×2, 2×4 and the like fluorescent replacementwireless light bulb with batteries embedded then may allow for thereplacement of a fluorescent bulb with an LED battery backed bulb. Thismay allow a retrofit for battery backup for the consumer such thatrather than incur the expense of the battery backed ballast controller(or battery backup elsewhere) and an electrician to do the electricalwork to wire it in, the retrofit with battery backup can be done by thereplacement of the fluorescent bulb. In alternate embodiments, the LEDbased 2×2, 2×4, and the like fluorescent replacement bulb may containand use as a power source any combination of AC power and/or wirelesspower sources mentioned herein. In alternate embodiments, the LED based2×2, 2×4, and the like fluorescent replacement bulb may contain and useany wireless control method mentioned herein.

Alternate embodiments of the wireless light bulb may be designed with adifferent housing that allows installation in a suspended grid ceilingsystem in locations typically occupied by 1×1, 2×2, 2×4 size ceilingtiles or the like. In this embodiment, the housing may contain any ofthe features of the wireless light bulb, but is designed in a ceilingtile form factor. In alternate embodiments, the housing may be designedin any form factor to be used in place of a fluorescent fixture such asbut not limited to high bay fixtures, layin fixtures, strip fixtures,under cabinet fixtures, wall mount fixtures, wrap around fixtures, andthe like. In these embodiments, the wireless light bulb may be designedto fit into place in the socket of the fixture (e.g. as a compactfluorescent lamp, fluorescent lamp or fluorescent bulb replacement) orthe entire wireless light bulb fixture may be the same form factor asthe fluorescent fixtures listed and be applicable for use in similarapplications. The wireless light bulb may contain non-rechargeable orrechargeable batteries. In alternate embodiments, the wireless lightbulb may have any type of connector on it that allows for charging byconnection to a mating connector and that provides an AC or DC powersource. In some embodiments the wireless light bulb may allow aconnection to an AC input and may contain the required circuitry toconvert AC to DC for the light source and wireless control. In someembodiments, the wireless light bulb may replace a fluorescent lamp orfixture that is connected to a resistive, reactive, or electronicballast in which case the wireless light bulb may also contain circuitryto take the output of the ballast and convert it to DC power suitablefor the light source and wireless control. By way of an example, aversion of the wireless light bulb containing an RF receiver and amotion sensor may be designed into a housing that fits into a 2×2ceiling grid. The wireless light bulb may also contain rechargeablebatteries, an AC to DC converter and ballast conditioning circuit toconnect to a ballast in the case where the wireless light bulb is aretrofit of a fluorescent fixture, and the like. It is to be appreciatedthat the ballast conditioning circuit may operate the wireless lightbulb whether the wireless light bulb is connected to a ballast or not.There may also be intelligence (microcontroller, microprocessor,integrated circuit etc.) inside the wireless light bulb such that is canbe programmed to draw power from the AC input, from the rechargeablebatteries or both. The intelligence may use a real time clock and beprogrammed to use the AC input and charge the batteries during off peakbilling times and use battery power during on peak billing times suchthat there is an overall cost savings in energy usage. The unit may beprogrammed for operation based on a Time of Use (TOU) price plan fromthe energy company. The rechargeable battery capacity may or may not beenough to power the light source for the entire duration of the on peakbilling time. In such a case, the intelligence may be able to switchbetween or control a sharing of the load between battery power and ACinput power based on a measurement of battery capacity level, power usefrom the embedded batteries and from the AC input or any othermeasurable parameter that allows for an optimization for cost orminimizes power consumption of the combined use of embedded batteriesand AC input power.

Alternate embodiments of the wireless light bulb may be designed with ahousing that allows installation in a 2 or 4 pin plug-in fluorescentsocket. In this embodiment, the housing may contain any of the featuresof a wireless light bulb and is designed with a 2 or 4 pin plug thatallows it to be installed in a plug in fluorescent light fixture. By wayof an example, the 2 or 4 pin wireless light bulb retrofit may bepowered by the AC input but contain an LED light source, wirelesscontrol and/or wireless power functionality as mentioned herein for anywireless light bulb product such as a UPS light bulb, a motion wirelesslight bulb, a RF controlled wireless light bulb with a transceiver andthe capability to form a mesh network, a programmable wireless lightbulb etc. The wireless light bulb may physically couple with the fixtureto support the wireless light bulb, yet electrical current may or maynot flow between the fixture and the wireless light bulb. In such a casewhere electrical current does not flow between the fixture and thewireless light bulb, the wireless light bulb may contain one or morewireless power sources that provides power to the bulb. The wirelesslight bulb may contain one or more wireless control sources. In someembodiments, the wireless light bulb may replace a fluorescent lightthat is connected to a resistive, reactive or electronic ballast inwhich case the wireless light bulb may also contain circuitry to takethe output of the ballast and convert it to DC power suitable for thelight source and wireless control. The wireless light bulb may alsocontain non-rechargeable or rechargeable batteries. In the case wherethe bulb contains rechargeable batteries it may contain the circuitry tocharge the batteries. There may also be intelligence (microcontroller,microprocessor, integrated circuit etc.) inside the wireless light bulbsuch that it can be programmed to draw power from the AC input, from therechargeable batteries or both. The intelligence may use a real timeclock and be programmed to use the AC input and charge the batteriesduring off peak billing times and use the battery power during on peakbilling times such that there is an overall cost savings in energyusage. The wireless light bulb may be programmed for operation based ona Time of Use (TOU) price plan from the energy company. The rechargeablebattery capacity may or may not be enough to power the light source forthe entire duration of the on peak billing time. In such a case, theintelligence may be able to switch between battery power and AC inputpower based on a measurement of battery capacity level, power use fromthe embedded batteries and from the AC input or any other measurableparameter that allows for an optimization for cost or power consumptionof the combined use of embedded batteries and AC input power.

In an alternate embodiment, an adapter may be designed that plugs intothe 2 or 4 pin connector and has an Edison socket that a wireless lightbulb may plug in to. It is to be appreciated that any power conditioningcircuitry required to convert the AC input from the 2 or 4 pin connectorto the appropriate input for the wireless light bulb will reside in thesocket. In some embodiments, bulbs other than a wireless light bulb, forexample any off the shelf incandescent, LED or CFL bulb, may plug intothe 2 or 4 pin adapter. In such cases, the adapter may contain any formof wireless control, wireless power, intelligence or networkingcapability to provide wireless light bulb functionality to the installedoff the shelf bulb.

Alternate embodiments of the wireless light bulb may be installed into ahousing that allows installation in a fluorescent troffer, high bayfixtures, layin fixtures, strip fixtures, under cabinet fixtures, wallmount fixtures, wrap around fixtures, and the like. In this embodiment,the housing may contain one or more sockets such that wireless lightbulbs in any standard size bulb (e.g. PAR30, PAR38, A19, R30, MR16 etc)or non-standard size bulb form factor may plug in. By way of an example,the housing may contain multiple Edison sockets such that PAR30 bulbsmay be screwed in. Thus, with a housing that supports wireless lightbulbs that screw or plug in, any type of wireless light bulb may beinstalled in the fixture. The housing may also have a connection to anAC input, wiring from the input to the sockets and any externalcircuitry to condition the AC input for use by the wireless light bulbs.In an alternate embodiment, a fluorescent retrofit LED bulb may bedesigned to be a retrofit in fluorescent tube applications where it isnot designed in traditional fluorescent tube housing. A flat housing maybe designed that contains LEDs and electronics down the length of thehousing with pins allowing it to be installed in a socket forfluorescent tubes. In some embodiments, the shape of the flat housingand orientation of the LEDs may be such that two of the flat housingsmay be installed in a dual troffer such that they are geometricallyopposed. In such a case, when both fluorescent LED retrofit bulbs areinstalled, there is an even pattern of LEDs installed in the troffer. Byway of an example, two L-shaped fluorescent retrofit LED bulbs aredesigned such that the bottom part of the L contains an array of LEDs.When the two L-shaped fluorescent retrofit LED bulbs are installed, thetwo arrays of LEDs fill the entire space to provide the appearance ofevenly spaced LEDs in the housing. It is to be appreciated that anyshape of LED bulb and number of LED bulbs may be designed to fit intothe space of a fluorescent troffer. In an alternate embodiment, amultiple fluorescent tube retrofit LED bulb may be designed such thatthe distance between the multiple tubes may be adjusted. Thus a singlemultiple fluorescent tube retrofit LED bulb may be designed such that itmay be used in multiple troffers. It is to be appreciated that themultiple fluorescent tube retrofit LED bulb may be designed such thatthe width, length or both may be adjusted to fit into the troffer andplug into the socket. By way of an example, a dual fluorescent tuberetrofit LED bulb is designed that is adjustable such that it may beinstalled in a number of common troffers that may be installed influorescent lighting applications.

In an alternate embodiment, the recessed fixtures or down lightassemblies are completely battery powered. In addition, a sensor or RFcontrol may be built into the fixture or down light assembly to controlthe unit. Wireless power and wireless control built into wirelesslighting module fixtures or down lights allows them to be installedanywhere without the need for wires. In alternate embodiments, thefixtures or down light assemblies may contain and use as a power sourceany combination of wireless power sources mentioned herein.

In embodiments, a wireless light bulb may provide functionalityequivalent to a “Three Way” light bulb by making use of the externalcommunication interface and multiple light levels managed inside thebulb. Any number of light levels may be implemented in the wirelesslight bulb. An RF remote or other control method sends commands tochange light levels in the wireless light bulb. By way of an example, anAC powered wireless light bulb is designed with an RF receiver inside.An RF remote with a single push button allows control of the lightlevels. From off, the first time the button is pushed, the light outputgoes to a low brightness level. The second time the button is pressed,the light output goes to a medium brightness level. The third time thebutton is pressed, the light output goes to a high brightness level. Thefourth time the button is pressed, the light turns off. Any number oflight levels, any brightness levels or sequence of brightness levels ormethod of control is possible. In an alternate embodiment, the number oflight levels, brightness levels and sequence of brightness levels may beprogrammable by the user based on user preference. In alternateembodiments, the “Three Way” light bulb may respond to a switch on alamp such that there are four levels—off and three light intensitylevels. When the switch is turned once, the light intensity level goesfrom its first light intensity state to its next. By way of an example,the “Three Way” light bulb starts in the off position. When the switchis turned to the next position, the bulb detects the switch transitionand changes the light intensity level from off to on at the lowestintensity level. When the switch is turned again to the next position,the bulb detects the switch transition and changes the light form thelowest intensity level to the next higher intensity level and so on. Itis to be appreciated that the number of light levels, brightness levelsand sequence of brightness levels that the “Three Way” light bulb mayhave in any of its embodiments may be factory set or programmable by theuser based on user preference.

A plurality of use cases are possible in the use of AC power, wirelesspower sources and any combination thereof. In one use case, an ACpowered battery embedded wireless light bulb contains an RF energyharvesting circuit. In this case, there may be a broadband antenna andcircuitry to collect RF energy and charge the embedded batteries. In analternate use case, a PAR30 type battery embedded wireless light bulbmay contain a wireless power transmission receiver circuit andrechargeable batteries. The wireless power transmission circuit mayallow the batteries to be charged off line, then have the wireless lightbulb returned to the light socket for use.

In another illustrative embodiment, a battery embedded wireless lightbulb may contain solar cells on its surface and rechargeable batteriesto power the wireless control and light source. With reference to FIG.22, illustrated is a perspective view of an embodiment of a batteryembedded solar recharged PAR30 wireless light bulb 2200. In theillustrated embodiment, the battery embedded solar recharged PAR30wireless light bulb 2200 includes a housing 2210, one or more solarcells 2220, a printed circuit for interfacing to the solar cell or cellsand battery management functions, motion and light sensor circuitry2230, a battery holder 2240, a plurality of LEDs 2250 and a motionsensor 2260 and light sensor. The size of the solar cells can be set tomatch the anticipated amount of LED on time per the number of expectedmotion sensor triggers per some period of time. Note that there is somepower consumption from the circuitry on the PCB to charge the batteries,for the motion detector, for the LED drive circuit etc., so it is to beappreciated that the power consumption and on time the battery embeddedsolar recharged PAR30 wireless light bulb can sustain every evening isequal to the amount of recharge that can be done by the solar cells andrechargeable batteries. It is to be appreciated that any form ofwireless control or wireless power mentioned herein can be used inconjunction with this embodiment. It is to be appreciated that any sizeand shape of the solar cells can be used and they be placed on thehousing in any manner conceivable. It is also to be appreciated that anysize or type of rechargeable battery can be used in conjunction withthis embodiment. In an alternate embodiment, there is a method toreplace the batteries designed in, thus if the amount of on time exceedsthe recharge rate, the rechargeable batteries can be removed, rechargedto full or close to full capacity and then returned to the wirelesslight bulb. In this use case, the motion sensor provides for a highlyefficient use of the power consumption such that for a limited amount ofrecharging (e.g. small solar cells used on the bulb), an appropriateamount of light can be provided for short periods of time such that theaverage power consumption is low over time, but power consumption ishigh for brief periods of time only when the light is needed.

In references to battery embedded, AC powered battery embedded, or anycombination of power source wireless light bulbs, it is to beappreciated the chargeable and rechargeable batteries can be replaced byany energy storage element mentioned herein. For example, a batteryembedded wireless light bulb can be a fuel cell embedded wireless lightbulb. An AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb can use one ormore super capacitors as a power source to power a glow mode in certainapplications.

An external light socket adapter may be designed with batteries embeddedto battery backup any kind of light bulb that plug into a socket. Theexternal light socket adapter can be designed as an adapter for any typeof socket to provide the described functionality for any of theplurality of bulb types mentioned herein. By way of an example, anadapter plugs into an Edison socket and also has an Edison socket thataccepts an A19 type bulb. An incandescent, compact fluorescent, and LEDtype light bulb can plug into the socket adapter. The socket adapter maycontain embedded rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries, thecircuitry to switch over to the embedded batteries, an AC/DC converter,a DC/AC inverter, a charging circuit to charge the embedded batteries,and the intelligence to implement a switchover between AC power andbackup power. In embodiments, this function can match that of the UPSwireless light bulb but with the batteries external to the bulb suchthat any standard bulb could be used. It is to be appreciated that thesame functionality provided by the UPS wireless light bulb mentionedherein may be implemented by the external light socket adapter and astandard bulb plugged in.

An AC outlet adapter or an AC outlet replacement may be designed withbatteries embedded to provide power to any kind of electrical devicethat plugs into the outlet. By way of an example, an adapter may pluginto an AC wall outlet and also have an AC socket that an electricaldevice that plugs into an AC outlet can plug into. In this example, theadapter that plugs into an AC wall outlet may have more than one ACsocket that electrical devices may plug into. In an alternate example acable with an AC plug on one end and the adapter at the end of the cablemay be designed similar to an electrical extension cord or power stripwhere the assembly adapter at the end may contain the embeddedbatteries. An AC powered device of any kind such as a lamp, television,television peripheral, computer, appliance, washer, clothes dryer,refrigerator, freezer, electric range, microwave oven, electric waterheater, vacuum cleaner, cell phone charger, stereo, air conditioner,HVAC devices, electric or hybrid vehicles, electric motors, industrialand manufacturing machinery etc, may plug into the AC outlet adapter oran AC outlet replacement. In alternate embodiments, the AC powereddevice of any kind may be designed with the batteries embedded insidethe device to provide power to the device. In alternate embodiments, anexternal light socket adapter may be designed with the batteriesembedded inside the device to provide power to any light source ordevice connected to it. The AC powered device, socket adapter, outletadapter or outlet replacement may contain embedded rechargeable ornon-rechargeable batteries, the circuitry to switch over to the embeddedbatteries, an AC/DC converter, a DC/AC inverter, a charging circuit tocharge the embedded batteries, and the intelligence to implement aswitchover between AC power and battery power. In embodiments, power maybe switched over to battery if there is a dropout of AC power or someother characteristic is detected that makes AC power no longer desirableto use (brownout conditions, electrical surges, overvoltage conditions,voltage sag or flickers, line noise, frequency variations, switchingtransients, harmonic distortion, etc.) to the outlet, socket or ACpowered device. Power may be switched to AC power, battery power or bothpower sources may be used for emergency or safety applications, forenergy efficiency, for energy cost savings or peak load reduction (loadleveling) purposes. In addition, a sensor or RF control may be builtinto the AC powered device, socket adapter, outlet adapter or outletreplacement such that they can be wireless controlled, status can begathered from it, commands may be sent to switch to a different powersource, it may be remotely programmed, and the like. For example, an RFtransceiver can be built into the AC powered device, socket adapter,outlet adapter or outlet replacement and a device such as a wall switch,remote control, RF transceiver that can plug into a computer and becontrolled by a software program, etc. may communicate with the ACpowered device, socket adapter, outlet adapter or outlet replacement. Inalternate embodiments, the AC powered device, socket adapter, outletadapter or outlet replacement may contain and use as a power source anycombination of AC power and/or wireless power sources mentioned herein.In alternate embodiments, an AC circuit with battery embedded deviceperforming the same function of the AC outlet adapter with embeddedbatteries may be installed to support multiple AC outlets or connectedAC powered devices by inserting the device in-line at the point of entryfor AC power for that electrical circuit. By way of an example, in aresidence, the battery embedded device can be installed in-line afterthe circuit breaker that can provide battery power on multiple AC dropssuch that the embedded batteries inside the device may supply power toall of the devices that may be drawing AC power on the circuit in amanner as described for the AC powered device, external light socketadapter, AC outlet adapter or AC outlet replacement.

A wall switch or lighting control component of any kind may be designedwith batteries embedded to allow battery power to be the power sourcefor the lighting circuit or any AC powered device connected to thecircuit controlled by the wall switch (for example a device plugged intoan AC outlet controlled by the switch). The wall switch or lightingcontrol component may be designed any size or shape for any type of wallswitch or lighting control component to provide the describedfunctionality for any of the plurality of bulb types mentioned herein.By way of an example, a wall switch with three switches may be used tocontrol multiple light sockets or wall outlets in a residential orcommercial application. In addition to the three switches, internallythe housing of the wall switch may have embedded batteries. Anincandescent, compact fluorescent, LED type light bulb or AC powereddevice of any kind may derive power from the AC input, embeddedbatteries or both. It is to be appreciated that any size or shape wallswitch or lighting control component may have any size or shape embeddedbatteries. The wall switch or lighting control component may containembedded rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries, the circuitry toswitch over to the embedded batteries, an AC/DC converter, a DC/ACinverter, a charging circuit to charge the embedded batteries, and theintelligence to implement a switchover between AC power and batterypower. In embodiments, this function may match that of the UPS wirelesslight bulb but with the batteries external to the bulb such that anystandard bulb could be used. It is to be appreciated that the samefunctionality provided by the UPS wireless light bulb mentioned hereinmay be implemented by the wall switch or lighting control component andany type of bulb plugged in or AC powered device connected. In addition,monitoring the sense of the wall switch (open or closed) and the abilityto monitor whether AC power is present and acceptable before the switchallows intelligence in the switch to select the power source. Forexample, if the switch is closed and AC power is not present, the wallswitch may be able to switchover to battery power because it may assumethere is a power outage. In addition, intelligence in the wall switchmay need to detect changes in the state of switch or the AC power inputto switch back over to AC power when it is present and acceptable againand may need electrical circuitry, a relay, an optoisolator etc. toallow the sharing of the load by power sources or the switching from onepower source to another power source. In alternate embodiments,additional intelligence, wireless controls and wireless power sourcesmay be embedded in the wall switch or lighting control component toimplement any of the functionality mentioned herein.

In embodiments, an external light socket adapter, AC outlet adapter, anAC outlet replacement, an AC powered device, an AC circuit with embeddedbattery device designed with batteries embedded, wall switch or lightingcontrol component and the like, may include intelligence(microcontroller, microprocessor, integrated circuit etc.) designed insuch that it may be programmed to draw power from the AC input, from therechargeable batteries, or both. In alternate embodiments, an externallight socket adapter, AC outlet adapter, AC outlet replacement, ACpowered device, AC circuit with embedded battery device, wall switch orlighting control component and the like, may contain and use as a powersource any combination of AC power and/or wireless power sources(batteries, fuel cells, super capacitors, solar cells, RF energyharvesting circuit etc.) mentioned herein and the included intelligencemay be used to make decisions when and how to use the power sources. Theintelligence may use a real time clock and be programmed to use the ACinput and charge the batteries during off peak billing times and usebattery power during on peak billing times such that there is an overallcost savings in energy usage. The intelligence may use a real time clockand be programmed in any way to implement load leveling such as to usethe AC input and charge the batteries during off peak times and usebattery power during on peak times such that there is an reduction inenergy usage during peak times. Thus, the external light socket adapter,AC outlet adapter, AC outlet replacement, AC powered device, AC circuitwith embedded battery device, wall switch or lighting control componentand the like have the ability of “moving power in time” by storing powerat some time and using the power at another time. By way of example, thedevice may be programmed for operation based on a Time of Use (TOU)price plan from the energy company. The rechargeable battery capacitymay or may not be enough to power the device plugged in for the entireduration of the on peak billing time. In such a case, the intelligencemay be able to switch between or control a sharing of the load betweenbattery power and AC input power based on a measurement of batterycapacity level, power use from the embedded batteries and from the ACinput or any other measurable parameter that allows for an optimizationfor cost or minimize power consumption of the combined use of embeddedbatteries and AC input power. The control and gathering of status froman external light socket adapter, an AC outlet adapter, an AC outletreplacement, an AC powered device, an AC circuit with embedded batterydevice, wall switch or lighting control component and the like, may bedone by an intelligent electrical meter, smart meter, control softwareand the like. In such a case the meter or control software may directlycommunicate with one or more of the adapters or devices over anappropriate communication interface using a protocol that allows theadapters or devices and smart meter or control software to exchangeinformation. By way of an example, the adapters or devices may measurethe amount of power consumed over a period of time and an intelligentelectrical meter, smart meter, a remote device, control software and thelike, through an intelligent electrical meter, smart meter, and the like(for example via the smart grid), may retrieve that information toprovide that information for any purpose. In another example, anintelligent electrical meter, smart meter, a remote device, controlsoftware and the like, through an intelligent electrical meter, smartmeter, and the like, may control the adapters or devices to turn themon, off, set the light intensity level, control which power source orsources are used (battery, AC and/or a wireless power source), retrieveany information from adapters or devices or control any sensor orintelligence present in adapters or devices. In addition to controllinga switchover to battery power, other applications are possible.Information or a record of usage from each power source may be storedand retrieved. The stored data may pertain to power usage, however itmay also pertain to sensor gathered information. For example, anexternal light socket adapter, an AC outlet adapter, an AC outletreplacement, an AC powered device, an AC circuit with embedded batterydevice, wall switch or lighting control component and the like maycontain an occupancy sensor, like a motion sensor, that can record timesand levels of occupancy in an area that can later be retrieved.

In embodiments of an external light socket adapter, AC outlet adapter,an AC outlet replacement, an AC powered device, an AC circuit withembedded battery device designed with batteries embedded, wall switch orlighting control component and the like, the electric company mayimplement load shedding or load leveling using these componentsthroughout its power distribution network by remotely offloading powerusage at times when power demand is high by commanding some portion orthe entire distributed network of components to switchover to batterypower. In some embodiments, the external light socket adapter, AC outletadapter, an AC outlet replacement, an AC powered device, an AC circuitwith embedded battery device designed with batteries embedded, wallswitch or lighting control component and the like may receive a loadcontrol signal from the electric company or end user to implement loadshedding. The control may force a reduction in power consumption fromthe AC input by either reducing power usage (by turning AC powereddevices such as appliances off for example) or by switching some portionof or all of the power source to battery power. In some embodiments,external light socket adapter, AC outlet adapter, an AC outletreplacement, an AC powered device, an AC circuit with embedded batterydevice designed with batteries embedded, wall switch or lighting controlcomponent and the like, may respond to supply conditions (demandresponse) during peak or critical times or based on market prices byadjusting usage or by switching some portion or all of the power sourceto battery power. In some embodiments, load shedding or demand responsemay happen without an explicit command from the electric company. By wayof an example, a clothes dryer may be plugged into an AC outlet adapterwith the capabilities mentioned herein. In response to a load sheddingcommand, the AC outlet adapter may turn off power to the clothes dryeror alternatively transfer some or all of the load to the battery powersource. In an alternate example, when run during peak billing times, theAC outlet adapter the clothes dryer is plugged into may draw some or allof the load from the battery power source to reduce the cost of usage ofthe clothes dryer. In some embodiments, the electric company may performload shedding by commanding an end user to use some local stored energyor the electric company may make use of the returned stored power tomeet peak demand requirements. This may be done independently asdetermined by intelligence in the external light socket adapter, ACoutlet adapter, an AC outlet replacement, AC powered device, an ACcircuit with embedded battery device designed with batteries embedded,wall switch or lighting control component and the like, may be commandedby the user or may be commanded by the electric company (for examplethrough a load control signal or a new type of signal that triggers thereturn of stored power to the grid). In embodiments of an external lightsocket adapter, AC outlet adapter, an AC outlet replacement, an ACpowered device, an AC circuit with embedded battery device designed withbatteries embedded, wall switch or lighting control component and thelike that may use an AC power input and embedded battery power with anintelligent, programmable controller may also contain grid tie invertercircuitry to allow the stored battery power to be converted to AC. Thegrid tie inverter circuitry may allow the external light socket adapter,AC outlet adapter, an AC outlet replacement, an AC powered device, an ACcircuit with embedded battery device designed with batteries embedded,wall switch or lighting control component and the like to be directlyconnected to the grid and to supply power back to the grid. The grid tieinverter may allow stored battery power to be used locally or to be soldback to the utility in the case that there is surplus power. The controlof the return of energy to the grid may be based on battery capacitylevel, time of day, the (TOU) billing plan from the energy company,commands received over the communication interface to return or stopreturning energy to the grid either from local intelligence (intelligentelectrical meter, smart meter, and the like) or from the energy company,known or learned energy consumption patterns where the additional energymay be needed or any other reason that it may be desired to returnenergy to the grid.

In embodiments of an external light socket adapter, AC outlet adapter,an AC outlet replacement, an AC powered device, an AC circuit withembedded battery device designed with batteries embedded, wall switch orlighting control component and the like, a function similar to the UPSlight bulb may exist such that there is circuitry inside the device thatmay detect that AC power is no longer present (power failure) or someother characteristic that makes AC power no longer desirable to use(brownout conditions, electrical surges, overvoltage conditions, voltagesag or flickers, line noise, frequency variations, switching transients,harmonic distortion etc.) at the device power input. In this case thedevice may switch over to battery power automatically to power thecontrol circuitry and to continue providing power to the device. Thisapplication, the uninterruptable power supply external light socketadapter, AC outlet adapter, an AC outlet replacement, an AC powereddevice, an AC circuit with embedded battery device designed withbatteries embedded, wall switch or lighting control component and thelike, provides power during a power outage using the embedded batterypower source. Additional intelligence may be designed into the device toprovide features or extend the amount of time usable power may beavailable when powered by the embedded battery power source. The devicemay also measure the impedance, resistance, and/or capacitance acrossthe AC power input and return or may measure any other electricalcharacteristic of the AC power input and return to determine whether thecontrolling switch or breaker is open or closed (or if electricity hasbeen turned off at any point up to the AC input of the device). By wayof an example, if the controlling switch or breaker is open, there maybe a high impedance detected across the input AC power and return. Ifthe controlling switch or breaker is closed, there may be a measurableimpedance, resistance and/or capacitance or electrical characteristicdifferent from when the controlling switch or breaker is open. Athreshold may be set in the device such that if the measurement is aboveor below the threshold, the switch or breaker is closed, and if themeasurement is on the opposite side of the threshold, the switch orbreaker is open. The device may be controlled by the state of thecontrolling switch or breaker (on or off), but may also detect thecondition when the controlling switch or breaker is closed but AC inputpower is not present or is not acceptable and may be able to switch overto the rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries that are embedded asthe power source. In some embodiments, the UPS light bulb may perform animpedance discontinuity check to determine if the controlling switch ofbreaker is open or closed. In some embodiments, the device may generatea signal onto the line and monitor the electrical response of the lineto determine if the response indicates an open circuit that may beindicative of a switch or breaker open in the lighting circuit. By wayof an example, the device may perform a function typical of a timedomain reflectometer by generating a short rise time pulse at theconnection to input and monitor the input for a reflected signal thatwould be indicative of an open circuit. If the reflected signal exceedsa set threshold, it may indicate an open circuit. In some embodiments,the device may need to learn where such a threshold should be set. Thedevice may be installed in many variations of power distributionscircuits where the amount or type of wiring to the switch or breaker mayvary and where there may be many other sources of loads on the circuit(such as other devices, multiple switches or controls etc.) therefore itmay have to adjust its detection circuitry to operate properly. It is tobe appreciated that the setting of the threshold may be doneautomatically by the device or manually by a user through any processthat may allow the device to be set to a threshold where one side of thethreshold indicates the switch or breaker is open and the other side ofthe threshold indicates the switch or breaker is closed. It is to beappreciated that when the switch sense functionality is implemented, theswitch or breaker may still be able to turn on and off power to thedevice even when running off of the embedded battery power sourcebecause the device may be able to determine if the switch is on or offand apply power or not apply power to the device based on the switchposition. In such a case, the switch sense circuitry may still need tobe powered along with any other necessary circuitry to implement thisfunction even when the device is not being powered.

In an illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 23, the block diagram showsan example AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb system 2300that may use an AC power input and embedded battery power with anintelligent, programmable controller to provide cost savings, securityand convenience benefits to a lighting installation. In the illustratedembodiment, the AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb system2300 may include an AC/DC converter 2310, a charging circuit withrechargeable batteries 2320, power selection and conditioning circuitry2330, an intelligent, programmable time of use and power source/chargingcontroller 2340, a light source or load 2350 and a communicationinterface 2360, and the like. The AC input may be connected to the ACpowered battery embedded wireless light bulb system 2300 by a lightsocket, wall outlet, terminal block, connector, hardwired connection orany common connection that a device requiring AC power may have to an ACpower input. The AC input block may contain a transformer, line cap,fuse, inrush limiter or other type of power circuitry commonly found atthe input of an AC/DC converter or an AC powered device. The output ofthe AC/DC converter 2310 may be a regulated DC source such as a DC/DCconverter circuit. It may be a constant current source to the load forexample to provide constant current to a chain of LEDs in series. Insome embodiments there may be multiple circuits at the output of theAC/DC converter such that one circuit may provide a power source for lowcurrent draw circuitry such as the an intelligent, programmable time ofuse and power source/charging controller 2340 and communicationinterface 2360 and a second circuit may provide a power source for highcurrent draw circuitry such as the light source or load 2350. It is tobe appreciated that any number power sources may be created at theoutput of the AC/DC converter to meet the needs of the application.

The output of the AC/DC converter may be connected to a charging circuitwith rechargeable batteries 2320. In one embodiment, the chargingcircuit includes an integrated circuit, such as a Microchip MCP73838battery charge management controller with some external components tomonitor and charge one or more Li-Ion rechargeable batteries embedded inthe AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb system 2300. It isto be appreciated that any charging circuit or type of rechargeablebattery may be used in the AC powered battery embedded wireless lightbulb system 2300. The intelligent, programmable time of use and powersource/charging controller 2340 may be a microcontroller,microprocessor, integrated circuit, electrical circuit or the like. Inthe embodiment using a MCP73838 and Li-Ion batteries, a microcontrollersuch as the FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR MC68HC908QT microcontroller may beused to monitor the charge status of the Li-Ion batteries, control thecharge current to the Li-Ion batteries, put the charging circuit instandby mode, detect when charging is complete, detect a batterytemperature fault, start a timer to time the duration of charging or anyother status or control function relevant to charging circuitry orrechargeable batteries.

Power selection and conditioning circuitry 2330 may be used to selectthe power source for the internal circuitry and light source or load2350. The power selector and conditioning circuitry 2330 may beconfigured to select AC power as the power source, the embeddedbatteries as the power source with the selection controlled by theintelligent, programmable time of use and power source/chargingcontroller 2340, and the like. In one embodiment, the selection may bedone with a pair of MOSFETs that can be controlled by the controllersuch that either the AC source is selected or the embedded battery powersource is selected. With the addition of diodes, the AC source andembedded battery power source may share the load of the light source orload 2350. In an alternate embodiment, the selection of power source maybe done automatically with a single MOSFET and a Schottky diode suchthat if the AC source is present, the power source will automatically bethe AC source however if the AC source is not present, the power sourcewill automatically switch to the embedded battery power source. TheSchottky diode provides protection to prevent reverse current fromflowing to the AC power source. When the AC power source is present theembedded battery may or may not be in a charging mode. In anotheralternate embodiment, there is an additional wireless power source onthe AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb system 2300 that mayprovide a power source or battery charging source (energy harvestingmethods such as solar cells, wireless power transfer, capturing radiofrequency energy etc.). In this case, the power selection andconditioning circuitry 2330 would be expanded to allow for selection anduse of all of the power sources. It is to be appreciated that any numberof wireless power sources may be used in conjunction with the claimedsubject matter.

In one embodiment, the light source or load 2350 may be one or moreLEDs. The power selection and conditioning circuitry 2330 may alsoinclude any driving circuit required to power the light source or load2350. In the embodiment where LEDs are used as the light source and theone or more LEDs are arranged in series, the AC power source or embeddedbattery power source may require an LED driver circuit at the output ofthe power selection and conditioning circuitry 2330 to generate aconstant current source or to generate the required DC voltage to turnon all of the LEDs in the series. In an alternate embodiment, the outputof the AC/DC converter may have the proper characteristics to drive theLEDs, however the embedded battery power source may require an LEDdriver circuit to generate a constant current source and/or to step ofthe DC voltage to the required DC voltage to turn on all of the LEDs inthe series. In alternate embodiments, the light source may be a compactfluorescent lamp or fluorescent lamp and the block diagram shownconstitutes an electronic ballast integrated into the lamp. In thiscase, there may also be an inverter circuit (DC/AC circuit) in the powerselection and conditioning circuitry 2330 to create the proper startingand operating electrical condition for the fluorescent light source. Inalternate embodiments the load may be an external light socket adapteror a device connected to an AC outlet adapter or an AC outletreplacement. In any of these embodiments, there may be a DC/AC invertercircuit to create the proper AC output power for the attached device. Insome embodiments, the AC/DC converter may only be used to charge thebatteries and power local circuitry. The AC power source may be switchedto the load via a relay, solid stated device, or other switching deviceor the embedded battery power source may be selected by the intelligent,programmable time of use and power source/charging controller 2340 tosupply power to the load. In the case where the embedded battery powersource is a chosen power source, the DC/AC inverter would take theembedded battery DC output and convert to AC power to create the properAC output power for the attached device. In some embodiments, there maybe a very large, super or ultra capacitor in or before the powerselection and conditioning circuitry 2330 for energy storage in additionto the rechargeable batteries. This may take advantage of somecharacteristics of capacitors to offset limitations in rechargeablebatteries such as the fast charging time of capacitors.

In the illustrated embodiment, an intelligent, programmable time of useand power source/charging controller 2340, a light source or load 2350and a communication interface 2360 may be used to control the operationof the AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb system 2300. Inthe embodiment containing a MC68HC908QT microcontroller and an LED lightsource, the microcontroller may be used to control the light sourcebased on firmware programmed into flash memory on the microcontroller.The microcontroller may control the light source to turn it on or off,control the intensity of one or more LEDs via pulse-width modulation orother methods to control the current through the light source to providepower savings, provide dimming functionality, multiple light levels, aglow function, and so on, control which power source or sources are used(battery, AC and/or a wireless power source), control state changesbased on time of day, set specific on times, off times and brightnesslevels based on billing rates from the power company at different timesof the day (for example based on time of use, TOU billing plans),automatic shut-off times or timers, automatic turn on times or timers,change color or may be programmed in substantially any manner to controlthe light source. The microcontroller may also control the selection ofthe power source or sources based on a program that can set state andchange state based on the inputs to the microcontroller. Themicrocontroller may also be used to gather status on any of the powersources, the light source or the usage there of. For example, withadditional circuitry necessary to gather the information, themicrocontroller may record power usage, temperature of the components inthe system, battery capacity level, light output, light color etc.

A communication interface 2360 may be used by an externalcomputer-related entity, either hardware, software (e.g., in execution),and/or firmware to communicate with the intelligent, programmable timeof use and power source/charging controller 2340. The external entitymay use the communication interface such that the intelligence in the ACpowered battery embedded wireless light bulb system 2300 in the lightinginstallation may be programmed, controlled and information or status canbe retrieved for energy control and conservation, emergency functions,for safety and security, for convenience and any other functionalitydesired by a user. It is to be appreciated that the AC powered batteryembedded wireless light bulb system 2300 may contain processingresources and computer program such that it can implement a wide rangeof functionality or the AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulbsystem 2300 may contain only a few functions and the processingresources and computer program reside in the external entity. In thisway the intelligence may either be distributed in the AC powered batteryembedded wireless light bulbs that are installed or be centralized inthe external computer-related entity.

It is to be appreciated that the AC powered battery embedded wirelesslight bulb system 2300 may be designed in any size or shape housing tomeet the requirements of any standard size bulb (e.g. PAR30, PAR38, A19,R30, MR16 etc), non-standard size bulb, fixture, compact fluorescentbulb, fluorescent bulb or lamp (e.g. T4, T5, T8, circular etc.) or downlight assembly (e.g. recessed fixtures, fluorescent fixtures or downlight fixtures for residential, commercial or industrial lighting), orthe like. It is also to be appreciated that the AC powered batteryembedded wireless light bulb system 2300 may be designed in any size orshape housing to meet the requirements of any external light socketadapter, AC outlet adapter, an AC outlet replacement or an AC circuitwith embedded battery device designed with batteries embeddedapplication.

In an illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 24, the block diagram showsan example AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb system thatmay use an AC power input and embedded battery power with anintelligent, programmable controller but also contains grid tie invertercircuitry to allow the stored battery power to be converted to AC. Thegrid tie inverter circuitry may allow the AC powered battery embeddedwireless light bulb system to be directly connected to the grid and tosupply power back to the grid. The grid tie inverter may allow storedbattery power to be used locally or to be sold back to the utility inthe case that there is surplus power. In the illustrated embodiment, thegrid tied AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb system 2400may include an AC/DC converter 2410, a charging circuit withrechargeable batteries 2420, power selection and conditioning circuitry2430, an intelligent, programmable time of use and power source/chargingcontroller 2440, a light source or load 2450, a communication interface2460, a grid tie inverter 2470, and the like. In alternate embodimentsthere may be one or more additional energy harvesting circuits 2480(including energy harvesting methods such as solar cells, wireless powertransfer, capturing radio frequency energy, etc.) that may provide powerfor the light source or load 2450, charge the embedded batteries or mayprovide power to the grid tie inverter to return to the grid. The gridtied AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb system 2400 mayprovide all of the functionality described for the AC powered batteryembedded wireless light bulb system 2300, but the intelligent,programmable time of use and power source/charging controller 2440 mayalso control the return of energy to the grid (for local use and/or tobe sold back to the utility). The control of the return of energy to thegrid may be based on battery capacity level, time of day, the (TOU)billing plan from the energy company, commands received over thecommunication interface to return or stop returning energy to the grideither from local intelligence (intelligent electrical meter, smartmeter, and the like) or from the energy company, known or learned energyconsumption patterns where the additional energy may be needed or anyother reason that it may be desired to return energy to the grid.

In an alternate embodiment, there may not be a grid tie inverter in thegrid tied AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb system 2400but rather wires into the housing that allow for an electricalconnection to the grid tied AC powered battery embedded wireless lightbulb system 2400 such that multiple grid tied AC powered batteryembedded wireless light bulb systems can be connected externally to aninverter to provide power for local use or to a grid tie inverter toprovide power to the power grid. There may be a typical AC power inputto the grid tied AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb system2400, but also two or more wires that can be chained or connectedseparately to an inverter, to a grid tie inverter or to a connectionpanel that can combine and condition the inputs to then connect to aninverter or grid tie inverter. In this way, one electrical circuitcontaining multiple grid tied AC powered battery embedded wireless lightbulb systems or an entire lighting installation containing multiple gridtied AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb systems can be fedback to one or more inverters or grid tie inverters to implement similarfunctionality as if the inverter or grid tie inverter was located in thegrid tied AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb system 2400.It is to be appreciated that the output onto the two or more wires maybe AC or DC in nature. For example, the output may be 12 VDC and ground,the output may be 48 VDC and ground, the output may be 12 VAC and groundetc. In the case where DC power is output, there may be no inverter andthere may be a DC/DC converter to generate the required DC outputvoltage. It is also to be appreciated that the grid tied AC poweredbattery embedded wireless light bulb system 2400 may include circuitryto allow chaining of the wiring (diode-ored for example) or may connectto independent wiring back to an inverter, to a grid tie inverter or toa connection panel that can combine and condition the inputs to thenconnect to an inverter or grid tie inverter. In some embodiments, theremay be an additional charge controller and external battery or batteriesfor additional energy storage outside of the grid tied AC poweredbattery embedded wireless light bulb systems.

In embodiments, the grid tie inverter may need to ensure that the powersupplied by the grid tie inverter will be in phase with the grid power.To synchronize phase with grid power, there may be circuitry in the gridtied AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb system 2400 tomonitor the AC input power and lock to the phase with a phase lockedloop, an AC power zero crossing detector circuit or the like. This maybe used to set the phase of the output of the grid tie inverter to be insync with the grid. In alternate embodiments, the phase of grid powermay not be directly detected in the grid tied AC powered batteryembedded wireless light bulb system 2400 but may be detected in anexternal device that can communicate the phase of the grid power to thegrid tied AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb system 2400via the a communication interface 2460. A grid tie inverter may alsoensure that the voltage of the grid tie inverter output is slightlyhigher than the grid voltage to enabling current to flow out to thegrid. The detection of the grid voltage may be done with circuitryinside the grid tied AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulbsystem 2400 or in some embodiments the grid voltage may be detected inan external device that can communicate the grid voltage to the gridtied AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb system 2400 via thea communication interface 2460. By way of an example, a separate deviceconnected to grid power (at an AC outlet, at the circuit breaker boxetc.) may detect the phase of grid power and/or the grid voltage. It mayalso contain an RF transmitter that can transmit wirelessly to the gridtied AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb system 2400 enoughinformation to know the phase of the grid power (analog to digitalrepresentation of the waveform, times of zero crossing etc.) and/or thegrid voltage such that embedded intelligence, such as a microcontroller,could control the grid tie inverter such that it is in sync with gridpower and the output voltage is slightly higher than the grid voltage.There may be a mechanism to allow the grid tie inverter to bedisconnected from the power grid. The disconnect from the grid may beautomatically controlled allowing a disconnect from the grid if the gridvoltage is turned off, if the phase of grid power cannot be synchronizedwith, if there is no information from an external source about the phaseof grid power, etc, or it is not appropriate to supply power back to thegrid via the grid tie inverter for any reason. It may also disconnectanytime the grid tied AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulbsystem 2400 may not be supplying power back to the grid. Embeddedintelligence may be programmed based on battery capacity level, time ofday, the (TOU) billing plan from the energy company, commands receivedover the communication interface to return or stop returning energy tothe grid either from local intelligence (intelligent electrical meter,smart meter, and the like) or from the energy company, known or learnedenergy consumption patterns where the additional energy may be needed orany other reason that it may be desired to return energy to the grid. Byway of an example, multiple grid tied AC powered battery embeddedwireless light bulb systems on the same circuit or in the sameresidence, commercial or industrial building or geographical area may ormay not return power to the grid at the same time. An intelligent devicesuch as a computer running a software program, a remote control, abuilding management unit, a lighting circuit control unit etc. mayimplement a scheme to enable the grid tied AC powered battery embeddedwireless light bulb systems such as time division multiplexingalgorithm, an algorithm to control which grid tie inverter is on andwhich grid tie inverter is off to make sure there is no or limitedcontention, an algorithm to control which grid tie inverters are onbased on a knowledge of the energy needs of the consumer or billing planof the consumer, an algorithm based on the battery capacity level of thegrid tied AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb systems, etc.

It is to be appreciated that the grid tied AC powered battery embeddedwireless light bulb system 2400 may be designed in any size or shapehousing to meet the requirements of any standard size bulb (e.g. PAR30,PAR38, A19, R30, MR16, etc), non-standard size bulb, fixture, compactfluorescent bulb, fluorescent bulb or lamp (e.g. T4, T5, T8, circularetc.) or down light assembly (e.g. recessed fixtures, fluorescentfixtures or down light fixtures for residential, commercial orindustrial lighting), or the like. It is also to be appreciated that thegrid tied AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb system 2400may be designed in any size or shape housing to meet the requirements ofany external light socket adapter, AC outlet adapter, an AC outletreplacement or an AC circuit with embedded battery device designed withbatteries embedded application.

In embodiments containing rechargeable batteries, a charge managementcontroller and intelligence, the intelligence may be used to optimizerechargeable battery life by controlling recharge cycles in such a wayto optimize the usable life of the batteries. By way of an example, amicrocontroller built into a wireless light bulb may monitor the depthof discharge of the rechargeable battery. Based on the status of thebattery depth of discharge, the microcontroller may start a rechargecycle early rather than allow the rechargeable batteries to be deeplydischarged. The usable capacity of rechargeable batteries may depend onthe rate of discharge and the allowable voltage at the end of discharge.An intelligent program running on a microcontroller may adjust thecharge cycles to optimize the usable life of the rechargeable batteries.In the example of the AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb,the end result is the ability to extend battery life such that witheither an optimization of the recharge cycles or sizing battery capacityto lessen the depth of the discharge needed, the limiting factor of anAC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb when the light source isLEDs may be the life of the LEDs rather than the expected usable life ofthe rechargeable batteries.

In an illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 25, the block diagram showsan example system that uses an electronic ballast and embedded batterypower in a compact fluorescent lamp with an intelligent, programmablecontroller. In the illustrated embodiment, the AC powered batteryembedded CFL wireless light bulb 2500 may include an electronic ballast2510, a charging circuit with rechargeable batteries 2520, powerselection and conditioning circuitry 2530, an intelligent, programmabletime of use and power source/charging controller 2540, a fluorescenttube 2550, a communication interface 2560, and the like. Thefunctionality is very similar to the AC powered battery embeddedwireless light bulb system 2300, however in this case, a chargingcircuit with rechargeable batteries 2520 is connected prior to the DC/ACinverter in the electronic ballast. The power selection and conditioningcircuitry 2530 may be used by the an intelligent, programmable time ofuse and power source/charging controller 2540 to select the power sourcefor the fluorescent tube 2550 or to supply no power to the fluorescenttube 2550 to turn it off. It is to be appreciated that the intelligentfunctions described AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulbsystem 2300 for the intelligent, programmable time of use and powersource/charging controller 2540 and that may be done over thecommunication interface 2560 are applicable to the AC powered batteryembedded CFL wireless light bulb 2500. In one embodiment, the AC poweredbattery embedded CFL wireless light bulb 2500 may be designed to operatesimilar to or the same as a UPS wireless light bulb. In an alternateembodiment, the CFL wireless light bulb is only AC powered and has noembedded power source. In such a case, the AC powered CFL wireless lightbulb may contain wireless control and/or wireless power as well as beable to implement any of the intelligent functionality as mentionedherein for any wireless light bulb product such as a motion wirelesslight bulb, a RF controlled wireless light bulb with a transceiver andthe capability to form a mesh network, a programmable wireless lightbulb etc. In an alternate embodiment, the AC powered battery embeddedCFL wireless light bulb 2500 may not have an AC input and runs off ofpower supplied by an embedded rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteryand with a DC/AC inverter to convert to AC power to create the proper ACoutput power for the fluorescent tube. In an alternate embodiment, theAC powered battery embedded CFL wireless light bulb 2500 may contain agrid tie inverter. In such a case where the AC powered battery embeddedCFL wireless light bulb 2500 contains a grid tie inverter, it is to beappreciated that the intelligent functions described grid tied ACpowered battery embedded wireless light bulb system 2400 for theintelligent, programmable time of use and power source/chargingcontroller 2540 and that may be done over the communication interface2560 along with the functionality gained by having the grid tie inverterin the bulb are applicable to the AC powered battery embedded CFLwireless light bulb 2500.

It is to be appreciated that the AC powered battery embedded CFLwireless light bulb 2500 may be designed in any size or shape housing tomeet the requirements of any standard size bulb (e.g. PAR30, PAR38, A19,R30, MR16 etc), non-standard size bulb, fixture, compact fluorescentbulb, fluorescent bulb or lamp (e.g. T4, T5, T8, circular etc.) or downlight assembly (e.g. recessed fixtures, fluorescent fixtures or downlight fixtures for residential, commercial or industrial lighting), orthe like.

In another illustrative embodiment, an AC powered battery embedded PAR30wireless light bulb may be AC powered and may contain rechargeablebatteries to power the wireless control and light source. With referenceto FIG. 26, illustrated is a perspective view of an embodiment of an ACpowered battery embedded PAR30 wireless light bulb 2600. In theillustrated embodiment, the AC powered battery embedded PAR30 wirelesslight bulb 2600 may include a housing 2610, a wireless control module2620, a thermal heat sink 2630, a plurality of LEDs 2640, a batteryholder 2650, an AC/DC converter and power management circuitry 2660, asocket connector 2670, and the like. The size of the embedded batterymay be set to match the anticipated power consumption based on theapplication. The illustrated embodiment is an example of an AC poweredbattery embedded wireless light bulb system 2300 as described herein.The housing 2610 shown may be a standard PAR30 housing. In an alternateembodiment, the housing may be a custom housing that is larger than thePAR30 housing to accommodate a larger a battery holder 2650 andsignificantly more battery capacity but still may plug via a socketconnector 2670 into any fixture that can accommodate the size of thehousing. By way of an example, the housing may be designed to fit into asix inch recessed fixture to use the entire volume of the fixture suchthat the most battery capacity possible can be used in the application.It is to be appreciated that the disclosed functionality may be designedin any size or shape housing mentioned herein. A wireless control module2620 may be present. The wireless control module 2620 may be anelectrical circuit that contains any type of sensor mentioned herein, anRF/IR receiver or transceiver and/of intelligence to change the state ofthe AC powered battery embedded PAR30 wireless light bulb 2600. In oneexample, the wireless control module 2620 may contain a motion sensorand a light sensor and control the light source based on the state ofthe motion sensor and light sensor. In another example, the wirelesscontrol module 2620 may contain an RF receiver and a microcontroller toreceive commands from an external entity like a computer, remotecontrol, building management unit, lighting circuit control unit etc.and control the light source based on the commands received. In anotherexample, the wireless control module 2620 may contain an acoustic sensorthat controls the light source based on any sound detected.

In the illustrated embodiment, the wireless control module 2620 is shownabove the thermal heat sink 2630. In the embodiment, the wirelesscontrol module 2620 may be an electrical circuit on a printed circuitboard mounted to the thermal heat sink 2630 with screws, nails, fixingposts, flanged heads of fasteners, and other known mounting devices. Thewireless control module 2620 may be mounted to a cover that is mountedto the heat sink. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover may beconstructed of plastic. Alternately, the cover may be constructed ofmetal or any other known material. The advantage to mounting thewireless control module 2620 above the heat sink is that the positionallows the sensor or antennas of an RF transceiver to be exposed abovethe heat sink. The AC powered battery embedded PAR30 wireless light bulb2600 may contain a method to shield or insulate the wireless controlmodule 2620 from heat from the thermal heat sink 2630. The wirelesscontrol module 2620 may have diminished performance or reduced usablelife when used at a higher operating temperature. For example, in theexample where the AC powered battery embedded PAR30 wireless light bulb2600 contains a motion sensor and a Page of light sensor, the passiveinfrared (PIR) sensor that can detect motion may have diminishedperformance if operated at a higher temperature. The heat shield orinsulator may be mounted to the heat sink or plastic cover such that itis situated between the wireless control module 2620 and thermal heatsink 2630. The heat shield or insulator may be constructed of ceramic,fiberglass or any other known material. In an alternate example, thewireless control module 2620 may be mounted to the cover with some spaceleft between wireless control module 2620 and the thermal heat sink2630. The cover may also have some ventilation holes or other methods toallow the heat to escape and keep the temperature of the wirelesscontrol module 2620 and the heat sink as low as possible. The wirelesscontrol module 2620 may also be mounted below the heat sink and in sucha case the sensor or antennas may need to be separated from the printedcircuit board and with some components above the heat sink and somewiring through or around the heat sink to those components. There mayalso be a heat shield or insulator through the heat sink and above theheat sink to shield or insulate the components above the heat sink andthe wiring to the components. By way of an example, a passive infrared(PIR) sensor may need to be located on the face of the AC poweredbattery embedded PAR30 wireless light bulb 2600 however the accompanyingcircuitry to amplify the output of the PIR sensor and detect thresholdcrossing may be done by circuitry on a printed circuit board below theheat sink. In this case, the leads or wires to the PIR sensor may beshielded or insulated through the heat sink and the PIR sensor itselfmay also be shielded or insulated from heat by a heat shield orinsulator as mentioned herein to keep the operating temperature of thePIR sensor as low as possible such that there is no diminishedperformance because of higher temperature. It is to be appreciated thatthe wireless control module 2620 can be mounted in any location withinthe AC powered battery embedded PAR30 wireless light bulb 2600.

In the illustrated embodiment, the AC/DC converter and power managementcircuitry 2660 may contain an AC/DC converter, a charging circuit withrechargeable batteries and power selection and conditioning circuitryimplementing functionality as described for the AC powered batteryembedded wireless light bulb system 2300. In an alternate embodiment,the AC powered battery embedded PAR30 wireless light bulb 2600 may alsocontain a grid tie inverter and implement functionality as described forthe grid tied AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb system2400.

In alternate embodiments, an AC powered battery embedded wireless lightbulb system may be implemented such that the primary power source is theembedded battery and the AC input is the secondary power source. Undernormal conditions, the embedded battery may always be providing powerfor the wireless light bulb through a DC/AC inverter and the AC input isused to charge the embedded batteries continuously. In some embodimentsthe wireless light bulb may include electrical circuitry, a relay, anoptoisolator etc. to allow the AC input to be switched in to be used asthe power source. With reference to FIG. 27, the block diagram shows anembodiment of an on line wireless light bulb 2700 architecture where thebattery may be selected at the primary source and the AC input path maybe selected as the power source (on line wireless light bulb AC switched2710). In an alternate embodiment, DC power may be present at theswitch. In this embodiment, there may be no DC/AC inverter after thebattery and where there may be an AC/DC converter in the AC input pathafter the filter (on line wireless light bulb DC switched 2720). Inanother embodiment, there may be a grid tie inverter at the output ofthe battery to allow stored energy to be returned to the line.

In embodiments of the AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulbsystem, there may be a step up DC/DC converter after the one or morebattery to step up the voltage such that the output of the one or morebatteries may drive one or more chains of LEDs that may have a highervoltage drop requirement than the one or more batteries may provide. Inalternate embodiments, there may be a circuit present to provide aconstant current supply for the one or more chains of LEDs. In someembodiments, the AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb maycontain circuitry to allow for the shutdown of power from the AC source,the shutdown of charging, the shutdown of drive to the LEDs and/or thecontrol of the current supplied through the LEDs to set light intensity(pulse width modulation, adjustable resistor value etc.). It is to beappreciated that any combination of controls may be implemented. By wayof an example, power supplied from the input AC source may be shutdown,but the drive to the LEDs from the battery may be enabled and thecurrent through the LEDs may be adjusted to an intensity level asrequired by the application. It is to be appreciated that anyarchitecture mentioned here in for an AC powered battery embeddedwireless light bulb may contain a DC/DC converter to step up the voltageto the proper level to drive a chain of LEDs. By way of an example, a 6″recessed fixture AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulbretrofit may contain batteries and a DC/DC converter to step up thevoltage to drive the one or more LED chains. In another example, afluorescent tube AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb maycontain batteries and a DC/DC converter to step up the voltage to drivethe LEDs. In another example, an External Power Supply with Battery LEDrecessed fixture may be designed with a DC/DC converter to step up thevoltage to drive the required voltage to the recessed fixture. Inanother example, a DC powered wireless light bulb such as an MR16 with a12 VDC input, may contain one or more embedded batteries and alsocontain a DC/DC converter to step up the voltage to drive a chain ofLEDs. In embodiments of the an external light socket adapter, AC outletadapter, an AC outlet replacement, an AC powered device, an AC circuitwith embedded battery device designed with batteries embedded, wallswitch or lighting control component and the like containing embeddedbatteries, the device may contain a DC/DC converter to step up the DCvoltage to a level required to output a higher DC voltage at its outputor to improve the efficiency of the DC/AC inverter at the output.

In an alternate embodiment of a wireless light bulb powered from only ACpower or powered only by battery power, the wireless light bulb maycontain intelligence to control the light source based on time of dayand may contain a communication interface to communicate with anexternal device. In this case, the intelligence may be programmed to setthe times of day that the AC powered or battery powered wireless lightbulb is on or off and what the intensity of the light output is. By wayof an example, an AC powered wireless light bulb with a microcontrollercontaining a real time clock may be programmed to set the intensity ofthe light output to fifty percent of maximum light intensity duringdaylight hours when there is some ambient light and to set the intensityof the light output to maximum light output during evening hours whenthere is little ambient light. This will provide some cost savings inenergy usage when lighting needs to be on most or all of the day. It isto be appreciated that there may be any number of changes in the lightoutput and the light intensity may be set to any level from off tomaximum light intensity of the wireless light bulb. The communicationinterface may be any communication interface mentioned herein. Theexternal device communicating with and controlling or programming thewireless light bulb may be a computer running a software program, acustom remote control, a building management unit, a lighting circuitcontrol unit etc. and may have the communication interface allowing itto communicate with the wireless light bulb. In the example that is onlypowered by battery power, the intelligence may also use battery capacitylevel to set the light intensity output. In such an example, batterypower may be rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries or fuel cells.It is to be appreciated that any wireless power source or anycombination of wireless power sources may be used to supply power to orrecharge energy storage in the wireless light bulb in connection withthe battery powered wireless light bulb controlled based on time of day.

In wireless light bulb embodiments containing an AC power source and anembedded battery power source, there may need to be a mechanism in placeto communicate to the wireless light bulb when to use AC power and whento use embedded power. By way of an example, the UPS wireless light bulbmay operate off of AC power. When AC power is turned off, whetherintentionally by a user turning the light switch off or unintentionalwhen there is a power outage etc., the UPS wireless light bulb mayautomatically switch over to battery power. In an alternate use case,the user may desire that at times the UPS wireless light bulb does notautomatically switch over to battery power but rather that the on/offwall switch operates the light and that there be a method to select thatthe UPS wireless light bulb is enabled to operate in a mode thatautomatically switch over to battery power. In this alternate case, aslide switch on the UPS wireless light bulb that enables or disablesautomatic switch over may accommodate this function however it may beinconvenient for a user to change the slide switch position (because ofthe installation location for example in a recessed fixture in theceiling). An alternate method to enable or disable automatic switch overto battery is by including an RF receiver in the UPS wireless light bulbsuch that a command enabling or disabling the automatic switch over canbe sent via RF to the UPS bulb. Another alternate method to enable ordisable automatic switch over to battery is to create a mechanism suchthat the wireless light bulb detects a sequencing of the power appliedto it. By way of an example, if the on/off wall switch is turned on,then off in less than one second, the automatic switch over to batteryfunction is enabled the next time the wireless light bulb is turned on.If the on/off wall switch is turned on, then off in less than onesecond, then on in less than one second or if the unit is turned on thenleft on for greater than one second the automatic switch over to batteryfunction is disabled and control of the wireless light bulb is by theon/off wall switch. In such a case, battery power may be used to powerthe wireless light bulb during the power sequencing or a large capacitoris charged enough that an electrical circuit is powered and can latchthe state of the on-off power sequencing such that it may change themode of the bulb appropriately even in the absence of AC power or if theembedded battery power is discharged and is not usable. It is to beappreciated that any number of power cycles may be done to put thewireless light bulb in any number of modes it may operate in and anytype of wireless power source or sources in the wireless light bulb maybe controlled. The on/off wall switch may contain circuitry and analternate way to select the mode such that the power sequencing istransparent to the user. For example, there may be a slide switch on anon/off wall switch that selects the mode. When the user turns the on/offwall switch on, the electrical circuit inside the on/off wall switchsequences the power appropriately to set the mode of operation. In analternate embodiment, there may be a real time clock and intelligenceinside the UPS light bulb such that it may be programmed to use one modeof operation during certain times of the day and another mode ofoperation during other times of the day. By way of an example, the usermay program the UPS light bulb to be in UPS mode during the day when theuser knows the light needs to be on even in a power outage, however itmay change modes to switch control or automatically shut off and enterswitch control mode during times of the day when the user knows thelights should be off.

In wireless light bulb embodiments containing an AC power source and asensor or RF/IR control, there may need to be a mechanism in place tocommunicate to the wireless light bulb when to use the sensor or RF/IFcontrol the wireless light bulb and when to use the on/off wall switchto control the wireless light bulb. By way of an example, the AC poweredwireless light bulb may have a motion sensor that may turn the bulb onwhen motion is detected. In an alternate use case, the user may desirethat at times the AC powered wireless light bulb does not automaticallyturn on when motion is detected but rather that the on/off wall switchoperates the light and that there is a method that the AC poweredwireless light bulb may be enabled to operate in a mode that uses themotion sensor to control the light. In this alternate case, a slideswitch on the AC powered wireless light bulb that enables or disablesmotion detection control (and that when the bulb is turned on it isalways on) may accommodate this function however it may be inconvenientfor a user to change the slide switch position (because of theinstallation location for example in a recessed fixture in the ceiling).An alternate method to enable or disable motion detection control is byincluding an RF receiver in the AC powered wireless light bulb such thata command enabling or disabling the motion detection may be sent via RFto the AC powered wireless light bulb. Another alternate method toenable or disable motion detection control is to create a mechanism suchthat the wireless light bulb detects a sequencing of the power appliedto it. By way of an example, if the on/off wall switch is turned on,then off in less than one second, then on in less than one second motiondetection is enabled. If the unit is turned on and left on for greaterthan one second, the control of the wireless light bulb is by the on/offwall switch (i.e. it remains on whether there is motion or not and isturned of by the on/off wall switch). When the unit is turned off andleft off for a period of time, the next time the on/off wall switch isused, it can again set the mode of the wireless light bulb. In such acase, it may be required that a small amount of power storage exists inthe wireless light bulb, for example small battery is present or a largecapacitor is charged enough that an electrical circuit is powered andcan latch the state of the on-off power sequencing such that it maychange the mode of the bulb appropriately even in the absence of ACpower briefly. It is to be appreciated that any number of power cyclesmay be done to put the wireless light bulb in any number of modes it mayoperate in and any type of sensor or sensors in the wireless light bulbmay be controlled. The on/off wall switch may contain circuitry and analternate way to select the mode such that the power sequencing istransparent to the user. For example, there may be a slide switch on anon/off wall switch that enables or disables motion detection. When theuser turns the on/off wall switch on, the electrical circuit inside theon/off wall switch sequences the power appropriately to set the mode ofoperation. In an alternate embodiment, there may be a real time clockand intelligence inside the wireless light bulb such that it may beprogrammed to use one mode of operation during certain times of the dayand the other mode of operation during other times of the day. By way ofan example, the user may program an AC powered motion sensor wirelesslight bulb to be controlled by a motion sensor during the evening hourswhen the user knows there is typically low occupancy, however it maychange modes to wall switch control during times of the day when theuser knows the lights should always be on due to typically highoccupancy. In another example, the AC powered motion sensor wirelesslight bulb may have an embedded battery such that the user may also beable to select the power source based on time of day.

In wireless light bulb embodiments containing an AC power source, anembedded battery power source and/or other wireless power sources, theremay be many reasons to switch from one power source to another or tohave power sources share the load. The reasons to switch from one powersource to another or to have power sources share the load may be sensoror RF/IR controlled, controlled by intelligent decision and/orcontrolled by power management functions. In the case of sensor or RF/IRcontrol, the switch over may be based on motion detection, lightdetection, power consumption measurements or any other sensor parameterthat may necessitate a switch to a different power source. For example,an AC powered battery embedded wireless light bulb may have a glow orlow light function that is powered by battery, but when motion isdetected, the bulb turns on to full brightness and is powered by ACpower. In the case of control by intelligent decision, intelligence inthe wireless light bulb (microcontroller, microprocessor, integratedcircuit etc.) may control the bulb based on time of day or timers,knowledge gained over time based on monitoring of sensors, a userprogram based on a knowledge of the use patterns required for aparticular wireless light bulb, an individual profile based on anidentification from the area (detect an RFID personnel tag on anindividual for example) etc. For example, an AC powered battery embeddedwireless light bulb may have a motion sensor in it and a real timeclock. Over a number of days a microprocessor may build a profile ofoccupancy based on motion detections recorded at particular times of theday that it may plug into an algorithm to automatically set the lightintensity to a very low level running off of battery power when it isapparent that there should be no motion detected or it may anticipatewhen it should detect motion and switch to AC power and turn on to fullintensity prior to that time (for example first thing in the morning atan office a few minutes prior to when the first employee is expected toshow up based on the profile of occupancy built by the microprocessor).In the case of switch over controlled by power management functions, thecontrol of power source to use may be due to low battery capacity, ACnot being present or not being usable, whether a wireless power sourceis present and is usable (solar cells collecting enough energy to sharethe load), depth of discharge thresholds to manage the life cycle ofrechargeable batteries, the sharing of the load by power sources tooptimize energy use for cost savings or conservation purposes etc. Byway of an example, solar cells in a wireless light bulb may generateenough power to share the load at any time. If the wireless light bulbmonitors the solar power source and determines that it is an appropriatepower source to use based on the power consumption requirements, it mayuse the solar power source exclusively or may share the load betweenmultiple power sources including the solar power source.

In wireless light bulb embodiments containing an AC power source, anembedded battery power source and/or other wireless power sources, thereare a number of methods by which the load is shared by the sources (i.e.some amount of power required by the load is supplied by more than onesource). It has been mentioned that the sources may be diode ored priorto the load as one method of placing power sources in parallel. Othermethods of paralleling power sources to source power to the load mayinclude circuits with diodes, FETs, transistors, op amps, powerconverters and the like. Once the power sources are paralleled such theymay independently supply power to the load, there may also be control todetermine the amount of power each source may deliver. By way of anexample, there may be two power sources for a light source (chain ofLEDs etc.)—an AC power source and an embedded battery power source. Theoutput of the AC power source and the embedded battery power source arediode ored prior to the light source such that they may both supplypower to the light source. The output of the embedded battery powersource may be followed by a constant current source circuit that may beadjusted to any current level required from zero percent of the powersupplied to the light source to one hundred percent of the powersupplied to the light source. There may be circuitry to measure theamount of current flowing through the LEDs and there may be circuitry tomeasure the amount of current flowing through the constant current atthe output of the embedded battery source. If the application requiresthat fifty percent of the load is delivered by the embedded batterysource, the constant current supplied by the embedded battery source maybe adjusted until the amount of current supplied is fifty percent of themeasurement of current flowing through the chain of LEDs. By way of anexample, a microcontroller with the ability to take an analog to digitalmeasurement at the constant current circuit at the output of theembedded battery source and at some point in the chain of LEDs, thenadjust the amount of current at the constant current circuit (by settingthe value of a digital potentiometer or the like) until the desiredratio of load sharing is achieved. In an alternate embodiment, theoutput of the embedded battery source is connected to an LED drivercircuit that may drive a chain of LEDs and also has the capability ofcontrol by pulse width modulation that controls the percentage ofcurrent supplied from the embedded battery source. In alternateembodiments, the amount of power supplied by the AC power source iscontrolled. The AC power source may have a constant current circuit atthe output, may be a constant current source by design and have theability to adjust the amount of current supplied by pulse widthmodulation and the like. The embedded battery power source would supplythe remainder of the power to the load. It is to be appreciated that anynumber of power sources may be used in connection to the claimed subjectmatter.

In an illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 28, the block diagram showsan example AC powered super capacitor embedded wireless light bulbsystem 2800 that may use an AC power input and a super or ultracapacitor power source with an intelligent, programmable controller toprovide cost savings, security and convenience benefits to a lightinginstallation. In the illustrated embodiment, the AC powered supercapacitor embedded wireless light bulb system 2800 may include an AC/DCconverter 2810, one or more super or ultra capacitors 2820, powerselection and conditioning circuitry 2830, an intelligent, programmabletime of use and power source controller 2840, a light source or load2850, a communication interface 2860, and the like. The AC input may beconnected to the AC powered super capacitor embedded wireless light bulbsystem 2800 by a light socket, wall outlet, terminal block, connector,hardwired connection or any common connection that a device requiring ACpower may have to provide an AC power input. The AC input block maycontain a transformer, line cap, fuse, inrush limiter or other type ofpower circuitry commonly found at the input of an AC/DC converter or anAC powered device. By way of an example, an inrush limiter may be usedto guarantee that the inrush current does not exceed a certain thresholdespecially with a large capacitance potentially charging when AC poweris first applied. The output of the AC/DC converter 2810 may be aregulated DC source such as a DC/DC converter circuit. It may be aconstant current source to the load for example to provide constantcurrent to a chain of LEDs in series. In some embodiments there may bemultiple circuits at the output of the AC/DC converter such that onecircuit may provide a power source for low current draw circuitry suchas for an intelligent, programmable time of use and power sourcecontroller 2840 communication interface 2860, and the like, and where asecond circuit may provide a power source for high current drawcircuitry such as the light source or load 2850. It is to be appreciatedthat any number power sources may be created at the output of the AC/DCconverter to meet the needs of the application.

The output of the AC/DC converter may be connected to one or more superor ultra capacitors 2820. The large capacitance at the output of theregulator may provide power to the light source or load 2850 in theabsence of AC input power. The larger that the capacitance in thecapacitor or bank of capacitors, the longer that the capacitance at theoutput of the regulator may power the circuit. It is to be appreciatedthat the one or more super or ultra capacitors 2820 may be in series,parallel or any combination as required by the application. The one ormore super or ultra capacitor 2820 may charge when AC input isavailable. The power source controller may control the regulator todisable it such that even if the AC input is available, the circuitrywill be powered by one or more super or ultra capacitor 2820. The powersource may pulse width modulate the control of the regulator toaccomplish any amount of load sharing between the AC input and the oneor more super or ultra capacitor 2820. In an alternate embodiment, theone or more super or ultra capacitors may be in the AC/DC controllerprior to the regulator and there may or may not be one or more super orultra capacitors 2820 after the regulator. In this case, the capacitancein the AC/DC controller may provide the filtering for the output of therectifier circuit but will also be able to provide a power source to thecircuit in the absence of AC input power for some period of time. Inalternate embodiments, there may also be a rechargeable battery andcharging circuit after the regulator in addition to the one or moresuper or ultra capacitors 2820. The combination of a rechargeablebattery and large capacitance as a rechargeable power source may allowthe design to contain the positive aspects of both approaches. Thecapacitive energy storage will charge and be available quickly whereasrechargeable batteries will provide a lot of storage for a low cost.

In some RF or IR transmitter embodiments, the RF or IR transmitter mayrely on energy harvesting techniques to power or charge the device. Forexample, a transmitter in a housing that can mount to a wall may containone or more solar cells, a large capacitor, a microcontroller, an RFtransmitter, and the like. The microcontroller and RF transmitter maytypically be in a low current sleep mode. The solar cells and capacitormay be sized to provide enough energy storage and recharge capabilitysuch that the switches on the RF transmitter may be pressed severaltimes sending commands to a wireless light bulb or battery poweredwireless light fixture before the capacitor cannot supply enough energyto transmit the command. Under normal usage, the solar cells andcapacitor may contain enough power and recharge capability such thatthere may not be an instance that the button would be pushed and nottransmit a command. In an alternate embodiment, instead of a solar cell,a piezoelectric device may be designed on a handheld transmitter suchthat energy is harvested from the motion of the device. In this case,when the user waves the piezoelectric powered device in the direction ofthe light with a button pressed, the device may transmit a command toturn the light on or off. In another example, perhaps a button does notneed to be pushed and that the waving of the device may transmit atoggle command when enough energy is harvested from the motion to togglethe state of the light. It is to be appreciated that any form of energyharvesting may be used in conjunction with the RF or IR transmitterconcepts mentioned herein.

In another RF or IR transmitter embodiment, a wireless light bulb orbattery powered wireless lighting fixture may be controlled by a remotelight sensor with an RF transmitter. The measured light level may beperiodically transmitted to one or more wireless light bulbs or batterypowered wireless lighting fixtures. The wireless light bulb or batterypowered wireless lighting fixture may contain an RF receiver and anintelligent device such as a microcontroller that may allow the measuredlight level to be interpreted and such interpretation may lead to astate change. By way of an example, a wireless light bulb or batterypowered wireless light fixture may be installed in a hallway thatreceives some ambient light from windows or other lights in the area.The desired light level may be programmed into the wireless light bulbor battery powered wireless lighting fixture. The remote light sensormay be placed on the floor or wall of the hallway below the light thatis to be controlled. Every five seconds, the light sensor with an RFtransmitter may transmit the measured light level to the wireless lightbulb or battery powered wireless lighting fixture. When received, thelight intensity may be left unchanged, adjusted up or adjusted downautomatically to set the light intensity to be at a preprogrammed levelor range. In an alternate embodiment, the remote light sensor is ahandheld device that a user may use to set the light intensity level forthe daylight harvesting function where the light intensity is set basedon the ambient light level detected such that the ambient light plus thelight generated by the light source maintain a constant light level. Inthis embodiment, the user may walk into a room with the remote lightsensor handheld device and press a button to take a reading. The remotelight sensor handheld device may have a transmitter such that it maytransmit the reading to the wireless light bulb battery powered wirelesslighting fixture. The wireless light bulb battery powered wirelesslighting fixture may be programmed by the transmission or it may use thedetected light level information to set its light intensity levelappropriately. Alternately, the user may use an alternate method toenter the detected lux reading into the wireless light bulb or batterypowered wireless lighting fixtures. For example, the user may open agraphical user interface with a software application that would allowthe user to enter the settings for the daylight harvesting functions aswell as the detected light levels. There may be net light values basedon time of day or any other input to the unit that user may desire adifferent net light value. In another example, the user may manuallyadjust the constant light level using a control, such as a dial, on theRF transmitter, on the wireless light bulb or on the battery poweredwireless lighting fixtures based on the reading.

In some embodiments, there may be multiple remote light sensors andmultiple wireless light bulbs or battery powered wireless lightingfixtures in the same area. By way of an example, in a conference room,multiple PAR38 wireless light bulbs may be installed in recessedfixtures. In this example, three remote light sensors are placed in theconference room on top of each end of and on top of the center of theconference room table. The multiple wireless light bulbs may receive thelight intensity measurements and adjust the light intensity output asprogrammed. Unique IDs may be set in each of the wireless light bulbssuch that all wireless light bulbs may receive all remote light sensortransmissions or the wireless light bulbs and remote light sensors maybe grouped in areas by setting the unique IDs to create operationalgroups. In some embodiments, the user may have a separate remotecontroller that may allow programming the wireless light bulbs orbattery powered wireless lighting fixture to respond in different waysto the remote light sensor input. The remote controller may havemultiple scenes programmed in. In the conference room example, there maybe a presentation scene where there are different light intensities indifferent parts of the room or there may be a meeting scene where thelights are set to high light intensity throughout the room. The remotecontroller may allow methods to create scenes and program the details(light intensity, timing, time of day response, groups of lights etc)into the wireless light bulbs. The remote controller may have a methodto override the use of the remote light sensors and allow a user todirectly control the light intensity of one or more wireless light bulbsor battery powered wireless lighting fixtures.

A daylight harvesting kit may be constructed consisting of an AC poweredwireless light bulb with a receiver and a remote light sensortransmitter. There may be a control on the AC powered wireless lightbulb or on the remote light sensor transmitter to set the net lightlevel that a user desires or it may be programmed in some other mannerover the communication interface. A user may install the wireless lightbulb and place the remote light sensor transmitter in a location wherethe user wants a net light value to be maintained. The user then turnson the wireless light bulb and sets the net light value through themeans of control provided. Thereafter the wireless light bulb mayreceive periodic transmissions from the remote light sensor transmitterand adjust its light intensity appropriately.

In some embodiments a wireless light bulb or wireless lighting modulemay be controlled by a light sensor designed into the unit. In such acase a daylight harvesting function may be implemented where the lightintensity generated by the light source is set based on the ambientlight level detected such that the ambient light plus the lightgenerated by the light source maintain a constant light level. The netamount of light may be set by a user either by programming the net lightvalue into the wireless light bulb or wireless lighting module through aprogramming method over the communication interface or it may be setdirectly on the unit through a method of control such as a dial, pushbuttons, slide switches and the like where a user may set the net lightthey desire directly and thereafter the wireless light bulb or wirelesslighting module will adjust the output light intensity to maintain thedetected light level at the user setting. In alternate embodiments,there may be more than one net light setting where the selection ofwhich light intensity setting to use is based on time of day, inputsfrom other forms of wireless control designed into the bulb, intelligentdecisions made based on inputs to the wireless light bulb or wirelesslighting module such as battery charge level and the like. In order tomeasure the amount of ambient light in the area, the wireless light bulbor wireless lighting module may turn off the light source, read andanalyze the ambient light measurement, then set the light intensity ofthe light source. The wireless light bulb or wireless lighting modulemay store the net light setting in memory inside the unit such that whenpower is turned off the user setting is not lost. In the case wherethere is a dial, push buttons, switches and the like on the unit, theunit may read and analyze those inputs as needed to set the desired netlight value. It is to be appreciated that the daylight harvestingfunction may be used in conjunction with any form of wireless control orany intelligent function mentioned herein.

By way of an example, a wireless light bulb may contain a light sensorand a dial on the light sensor to set the net amount of light. The usermay install the wireless light bulb, turn it on, then turn the dial onthe bulb until the amount of light generated is what the user desires.Thereafter, whatever amount of ambient light that is detected, the bulbwill automatically set the light intensity to provide the desired lightoutput. In another example, a battery powered RF controlled LEDspotlight contains a light sensor and a slide switch that allowsmultiple net light settings to be selected. The spotlight may then setthe light output based on the desired net light value and the detectedambient light level. When the user turns on the spotlight via a remotecontrol, the spotlight may then read and analyze the input from thelight sensor, then set the light intensity of the output appropriatelyto meet the net light value. In another example, an AC powered batteryembedded wireless light bulb designed to retrofit into a 6″ fixturecontains a light sensor. Intelligence in the unit may store energy inthe rechargeable battery during off peak hours and use the battery topower the light source during on peak hours. If the unit implements adaylight harvesting function, battery life may be extended and the usermay then continue to get the desired net light, thus the lightinginstallation may operate as necessary and there may be a cost savingsthrough controls.

In another embodiment, a wireless light bulb or wireless lighting modulemay contain a light sensor and the ability to adjust the light output tocompensate for the deterioration of LED performance over the life of thebulb. It is known that LED performance may deteriorate over time. Thelight sensor may be used to help ensure that the light output remainsconsistent, such as by increasing the drive current to the LEDs based onthe detected light level. In an alternate embodiment, the wireless lightbulb or wireless lighting module may contain only a timer or real timeclock internally and may keep a record of the number of hours thewireless light bulb or wireless lighting module has been used. Based onthe number of hours the LED light source has been illuminated, thewireless light bulb or wireless lighting module may contain theintelligence to increase the drive current to the LEDs based on analgorithm that predicts the rate of deterioration in the performance ofthe LEDs. In some embodiments, the user may have access to the storedinformation of number of hours of on time and drive level such that auser may determine the health or level of performance of the LEDs at anytime. In an alternate embodiment, the wireless light bulb or wirelesslighting module may contain a transmitter such that it may transmit theperformance information to a processor to keep a record of theperformance and/or for analysis.

In one embodiment, a wireless light bulb or wireless lighting module maycontain an array of light sensors (CdS or photodiodes) sensitive todifferent bands of light wavelength such that it may be used to create a“spectrum analyzer” of light in the desired band. This may be designedinto a wireless light bulb, wireless lighting module or it may be aseparate unit with a transmitter that may detect the information of thespectrum and transmit the information to a wireless light bulb orwireless lighting module containing a receiver. The wireless light bulbor wireless lighting module may use the information to adjust the colorof the output light to meet a specific light or wireless lighting modulespectrum envelope. By way of an example, an array of eight CdS sensorsoccupying consecutive parts of the band of visible light from 2800K to4400K, with the first sensor measuring lux from 2800K to 3000K, thesecond sensor measuring lux from 3000K to 3200K and so on. The measuredspectrum of light may then be used to set the mix of red, green and blueLEDs to create the desired spectrum of light output. In someembodiments, this sensor may be used to provide the user with differentlight options, such as tungsten, natural light, candle light,fluorescent, and such, to match the user's preference, or to match theother lights in the vicinity.

In another illustrative embodiment, a version of the wireless light bulbis used in External Power Supply with Battery LED recessed fixture 2900applications. With reference to FIG. 29, illustrated is a perspectiveview of an embodiment of an External Power Supply with Battery LEDrecessed fixture 2900. In the illustrated embodiment, the External PowerSupply with Battery LED recessed fixture 2900 includes a housing 2910,an AC input 2920, an external power supply for AC/DC conversion andbattery management functions 2930, a DC input 2940, a printed circuitfor wireless control and LED drive circuitry 2950, a plurality of LEDs2960 and a heatsink 2970. In this embodiment, the AC/DC power supply andbatteries are external to the housing, electronics, thermal managementand light source. The batteries may be rechargeable or non-rechargeableand may be internal to the housing of the AC/DC power supply. Inalternate embodiments, the batteries may be external to the housing ofthe AC/DC power supply and are electrically connected to the powersupply. In alternate embodiments, the AC/DC power supply and batteriesmay be external to the recessed fixture and may both be connected to thefixture. In such an embodiment, electronics for wireless control and LEDdrive circuitry 2950 may make an intelligent decision on which powersource to use. It is noted that the External Power Supply with BatteryLED recessed fixture 2900 may be designed in any size or shape housing2910 to meet the requirements of any standard size bulb (PAR30, PAR38,A19, R30, MR16 etc), non-standard size bulb, fixture, fluorescent bulbor lamp (T4, T5, T8, circular etc.) or down light assembly (recessedfixtures, fluorescent fixtures or down light fixtures for residential orindustrial lighting), or the like. It is noted that the external powersupply may be designed in any size or shape to meet the requirementswith typical characteristics of an AC input, DC output and in the casewhere external batteries are used a connection to those batteries. Theexternal power supply may have intelligence built in to make a decisionto use the AC input, internal or external batteries or both to power theExternal Power Supply with Battery LED recessed fixture 2900. Inalternate embodiments, the external power supply may have a grid tieinverter and associated circuitry designed in such that it may returnstored energy to the grid as described herein. In alternate embodiments,the external power supply is replaced by a ballast for fluorescentlighting applications. In such a case there may be rechargeable ornon-rechargeable batteries internal to the housing of the ballast. Inalternate embodiments, the batteries may be external to the housing ofthe ballast and are electrically connected to the ballast where theballast contains the intelligence to select the power source. In analternate embodiment, there is a controller separate from the ballastthat works in conjunction with the ballast to control the lighting. Insuch a case there may be rechargeable or non-rechargeable internal tothe housing of the controller. In alternate embodiments, the batteriesmay be external to the housing of the controller and are electricallyconnected to the controller. In such an embodiment, the controller maycontain wireless control or an intelligent device in the form of amicrocontroller, microprocessor, integrated circuit etc to make anintelligent decision on storing power in the batteries and which powersource to use.

In some wireless light bulb or battery powered wireless lighting fixtureembodiments, there may be an LED on the bulb or fixture that the batterycapacity is below a threshold (battery low indication) or that there maybe a fault condition in the bulb or fixture. An LED may be a colored LEDand it may display status in by being on solid or blinking in somemanner that may provide an indication of the nature of the faultcondition. An LED may provide a positive indication also. By way of anexample, a green LED may be on a bulb or fixture to indicate that thebattery level is good. A multicolored LED may be used to providemultiple indications. By way of an example, when the LED is green, thebattery level is good, when the LED is yellow the battery level ismarginal and when the LED is red the battery level is too low. Inalternate embodiments, there may be a transmitter on the wireless lightbulb or battery powered wireless lighting fixture that may transmit anindication of the status of the bulb or fixture to a receiver that canprocess and make use of the indication. By way of an example, in asafety lighting system that contains battery embedded power, the bulb orfixture may transmit an indication of a low battery level to a centralcontroller to allow the battery to be changed or guarantee that thebattery may be recharged. A network of bulbs or fixtures may be used toforward the transmitted indications back to a central controller toprocess the information.

In some embodiments, a wireless light bulb may be connected an AC inputthat is triac dimmer controlled. In this case, the wireless light bulbmay detect a zero crossing of the AC waveform, may be able to determinethe amount of the waveform that has been shut off by the triac and mayadjust a PWM dimming control to one or more LEDs such that the triacdimmer control that is in a wall switch or similar device may stillcontrol the intensity of the light output. In a triac dimmer control,the power delivered to the wireless light bulb may be enough to powerthe wireless light bulb even if a portion of the power delivered to thewireless light bulb is eliminated by the triac. By way of an example,the dimming function for the wireless light bulb may work down to alevel where only twenty percent of the power is delivered to thewireless light bulb because the power after the diode bridge and priorto a regulator circuit may still be enough to provide power to the lightsource and circuitry in the wireless light bulb. In this example, thelight intensity controlled by the PWM control of the one or more LEDsmay set the light intensity to zero output when only twenty percent ofthe AC input waveform is detected by the wireless light bulb. Fromtwenty percent to one hundred percent of the waveform, the dimminglevels will be set in the PWM control to provide a full dimming rangefor the wireless light bulb. In alternate embodiments, there may be alsoan alternate power source available in the wireless light bulb such asbatteries or a super capacitor that allows the AC input detectioncircuitry and intelligence in the wireless light bulb to operate evenwhen the AC input is below a threshold that would power the wirelesslight bulb. In such a case, the wireless light bulb may use the AC inputas long as it has determined that it is acceptable for use, but thenswitch over to the alternate power source when it is not acceptable touse. The alternate power source may be used to power the light sourceand control circuitry all of the time and the AC input with triac dimmercontrol may only used to allow the wireless light bulb to detect thewaveform to set the PWM control of the LEDs to achieve the desired lightintensity and to recharge the batteries. In some embodiments, the triacdimming control wall switch plate may be replaced by an RF transmitterwall switch plate with dimming controls that send dim up and dim downcommands to one or more wireless light bulbs with RF receivers allowingthem to perform the PWM dimming control to set the light intensity.

Preset lighting zones and scenes may be programmed into a wireless lightbulb or battery powered wireless lighting fixture to allow a user toselect a specific light intensity or setting. The lighting zones andscenes may be preprogrammed (as part of a specific embodiment of a bulbor fixture with settings that a user would typically require for certainapplications) or they may be setup and programmed by the user. Lightingzones may be set up using unique IDs such that some of the bulbs orfixtures in a certain area may operate similarly.

In some battery powered wireless light bulb or battery powered wirelesslighting fixture embodiments, there may be energy harvesting methodsemployed to supplement and recharge embedded battery power. In one usecase, a wireless light bulb parking lot light or street lamp may bedesigned that may harvest wind power to power the light source andcontrol circuitry and/or charge embedded battery power. In the exampleuse case, a small wind mill is built inside the housing of the parkinglot light or street lamp. The housing has openings to allow wind to turnthe mechanism, but the wind mill is not visible. In some embodiments,the wind mill may be visible. The wind energy is converted to electricalenergy and either directly powers the light or is stored in the embeddedbattery. The parking lot or street lamp may or may not have an AC powersource in addition to the wind power and embedded battery power sources.In alternate use cases, energy is harvested from a turnstile, forexample at a subway station or sporting event. The spinning motion ofthe turnstile generates electricity that powers the light source andcontrol circuitry and/or charges embedded battery power. In another usecase, the wireless lighting module is similar to a collar that opens andcloses. When closed it may be locked onto whatever it closes on. Theinside portion spins and the outside portion remains fixed. By way of anexample the wireless lighting module may be affixed to the roof of arevolving door with screws or another attachment mechanism and the innerportion is attached to the spinning part of the revolving door. Theoutside portion has the light in it, the inside portion spins withwhatever it is attached to and generates electricity as it spins. Inthis use case, the wireless lighting module may be attached to anythingthat is spinning to generate electricity for use by the wirelesslighting module. This may be used in revolving doors, carousels,turnstiles etc. In alternate use cases, the wireless lighting module maymount to a pole and blades may be attached to the spinning portion toallow for wind energy to be converted to electrical energy to powerand/or charge batteries in the wireless lighting module.

In some use cases the wireless lighting module may be designed toharvest energy from the opening and closing of a door. When the door isopened or closed, a porch light that is outside of the door storesenergy via electromagnetic induction or any other energy harvestingmethod from the opening and closing of the door. In another use case, acomputer keyboard may be designed with a piezoelectric device under eachkey such that when the key is pressed, electricity is generated. Anelectrical circuit may be wired from the keyboard along with thekeyboard connection to the computer to a wireless lighting module in theform of a desk lamp that may be powered from the electricity harvestedfrom the key presses. The desk lamp may contain rechargeable batteriesto store the energy generated by the key presses. In another use case, awireless lighting module may be designed such that a portable water millmay be place in flowing water and cabled to a wireless lighting modulein the form of a path light or spotlight mounted to the ground with astake. The wireless lighting module may contain rechargeable batteriesto store energy for later use. The wireless lighting module may containan RF receiver such that it may be controlled with a remote control toturn the light on or off as needed. In alternate use cases, a similarwireless lighting module may be used on a boat as a power source andcharging source for wireless lighting modules on the boat. As the boatmoves through the water, electricity may be created to power the lighton the boat.

In some wireless light bulb or battery powered wireless lighting fixtureembodiments, there may be a receiver control module such that the samedesign of light source, thermal management, AC/DC circuit, regulatorcircuitry, housing, battery management etc may be used, but the wirelesscontrol and embedded intelligence may change to use differentcommunication interfaces, different types of sensors, different types ofembedded intelligence or different types of LED control and powermanagement. This may allow changing from one control type to another(LEDs, thermal, AC/DC etc stay same, lighting control module changes toallow the bulb or fixture to be part of different control topologies).By way of an example, a receiver control module may be a printed circuitboard containing intelligence (microcontroller, microprocessor,integrated circuit etc.), a communication interface, battery chargingand control circuitry, light source drive and control circuitry, and thelike. For example, one module may be designed for a wireless light bulbthat uses ZIGBEE as a communication interface. An alternate module maybe designed for a wireless light bulb that uses BLUETOOTH as acommunication interface in a printed circuit board that may be the sameform factor as the ZIGBEE based receiver control module. An alternatemodule may be designed for a wireless light bulb that uses the ENOCEANprotocol as a communication interface in a printed circuit board thatmay be the same form factor as the ZIGBEE based or BLUETOOTH basedreceiver control module. In those three cases, the base wireless lightbulb design may remain the same, but the receiver control module may bechanged to create three wireless light bulb options that could beintegrated with different system architectures. In another example, thereceiver control module with a real time clock embedded may be installedto control the light source based on time of day. Alternately, thereceiver control module that may receive and forward commands in a meshnetwork may be installed to create a mesh network of wireless light bulbor battery powered wireless lighting fixture. It is to be appreciatedthat the receiver control module may contain any combination ofintelligence, communication interfaces, sensors, battery charging andcontrol circuitry and light source drive and control circuitry mentionedherein. In some embodiments the module may be referred to as a sensorcontrol module as it may provide sensor functions that may operate withor without a communication interface. In some embodiments, the modulemay be referred to as a transceiver control module as it would contain atransmitter and receiver such that the module may transmit, receive andin some embodiments be part of a network of wireless light bulbs orbattery powered wireless lighting fixtures. In other embodiments, themodule may be an intelligent control module that may provide intelligentfunction such as programmable time of day control. It is to beappreciated that a module may be designed that contains any mix offunctionality of the modules mentioned herein.

In some embodiments, the receiver control module may be built into thewireless light bulb or battery powered wireless lighting fixture. Inother embodiments, the receiver control module may be replaceable byopening the wireless light bulb or battery powered wireless lightingfixture, removing receiver control module and replacing it with adifferent receiver control module. In this case, the receiver controlmodule may have a connector to allow it to make electrical andmechanical connection to the bulb or fixture. In other embodiments, thereceiver control module is external to the bulb or fixture and is in itsown housing of any size or shape as required by the application. In thiscase, there may be a connector on the bulb or fixture and on thereceiver control module to allow it to be plugged into or unplugged fromthe bulb or fixture. It is to be appreciated that the receiver controlmodule may be changeable in place (i.e. it may be reprogrammed over thecommunication interface such that the same hardware provides a differentset of functionality).

In embodiments of the wireless light module or apparatus where there isa wireless power source, there may exist the capability that thewireless lighting module or apparatus may be removed from its installedlocation and used as a mobile light source (i.e. carried around,attached to a vehicle etc). In some embodiments, the entire wirelesslighting module or apparatus may be a mobile light source, but in otherembodiments some part of the wireless lighting module or apparatus maybe removed and used as a mobile light source. By way of an example, anLED spotlight with any type of wireless power and wireless controlsource may be installed at any location. If desired, a user may removethe LED spotlight or a portion of the LED spotlight from its installedlocation and walk around with the spotlight using it as a light source.In one example, the LED spotlight is attached to a tree without drivinginto the tree to mount the spotlight.

In embodiments, a wireless lighting module or wireless light bulb mayuse a real time clock to maintain timer or time of day information foruse by intelligent functions. In alternate embodiments, a wirelesslighting module or wireless light bulb may maintain timer or time of dayinformation through the use of a microcontroller, microprocessor,integrated circuit etc. that may keep track of time independently orwith an associated crystal oscillator, clock oscillator, electricalcircuit that oscillates or the like. An external time source may be usedto calibrate or update the timer or time of day clock to synchronizewith the external time source to set the internal time source and/orcompensate for clock drift of the internal time source. In alternateembodiments, a module or bulb may use an atomic clock receiver insidethe module or bulb to receive accurate and reliable time of day clockfrom a clock source provided by a radio transmitter. By way of anexample, the transmitting clock source may be the WWV or WWVB radiocontrolled clocks that are transmitted by the NIST time signal radiostation or the like. In such a case, a user may not need to set the timeof day. It may be set automatically by receiving a radio signalcontaining clock information that may be used to update the time of dayinformation kept in the module or bulb. In such a case, the module orbulb will be able to regularly update its internal clock to keep it asaccurate as possible. It may also be able to automatically adjust fordaylight savings time changes. In some embodiments, a module or bulbthat may be able to receive atomic clock information may retransmit itto other stations that cannot receive the atomic clock information forany reason. In this case, a network of wireless lighting modules orwireless light bulbs may benefit from the distribution of time of dayinformation that is distributed though the network. In alternateembodiments, Network Time Protocol (NTP) or any other time distributionprotocol may be used to distribute timer and/or time of day informationin a network of wireless lighting modules and wireless light bulbs. Bysynchronizing modules and bulbs to a common clock, complete lightinginstallations will be able to operate synchronized in time. In addition,in a case where intelligence inside the modules and bulbs will be usedto change state at particular times or times of day, a synchronizedclock across the network may allow them to do so independently, butstill synchronized in time. In alternate embodiments, the wireless lightmodule or wireless light bulb may contain an astronomical time clockthat maintains day, date, sunrise, sunset and daylight savingsinformation to allow the module or bulb state to be changed based on theinformation from the astronomical time clock.

In another embodiment, a version of the wireless lighting module maytarget wireless LED spotlight applications where there is a mountingmechanism to mount the spotlights to support bars of a drop ceiling. Inan alternate embodiment, there is a mounting mechanism to mount thespotlights directly to the ceiling, wall or under cabinet. In eithercase, the spotlight has the ability to have the direction of the lightsource changed. Thus, one or more wireless LED spotlights may be used tobe installed similar to track lights but use wireless power thereforethey may be installed in any location the user desires (“wireless tracklight”). By way of an example, a wireless track light may be created byone or more wireless LED spotlights that illuminate an area ofapproximately one hundred fifty square feet. Alternate embodiments mayinclude but are not limited to any known light source including LEDs,compact fluorescent, incandescent bulbs, and the like, and canilluminate any size area required by the application.

The wireless track light may include one or more wireless power sourcessuch as a battery. By way of an example, the wireless track light mayconsist of one or more spotlights powered by 3 D batteries. It should beunderstood that in alternate embodiments any number and type of knownbatteries may be used, including without limitation all known alkalineand nickel-cadmium batteries, depending on size and power requirements.According to another example, the power source may be any number andtype of rechargeable batteries and/or non-rechargeable batteries.Pursuant to a further illustration, the power source may be acombination of a solar cell and one or more batteries (e.g.,rechargeable, non-rechargeable). Thus, for instance, a battery cansupplement the power supplied by the solar cell (or vice versa) and/orthe solar cell can recharge a battery.

In embodiments, the wireless power source may supply power to thespotlights to enable installing, moving, replacing, etc. the wirelesstrack light at substantially any indoor or outdoor location whilemitigating the need for expensive and time consuming wiring and/orutilization of aesthetically unpleasing and potentially inconvenientcords commonly associated with conventional lighting. In alternateembodiments the power source may include a fuel cell, such as andwithout limitation a hydrogen fuel cell, a reformed methanol fuel cell,or the like. In alternate embodiments, the power source may include acapacitor, array of capacitor, super capacitor, and the like, to storeenergy to be used as a power source similar to a battery. There mayexist a charging mechanism such as a connector that allows the lights toplug into a charging base, a DC jack such that a wall transformer may beplugged into a normal AC outlet and into the DC jack to charge the unitor the light may contain a battery door allowing the rechargeablebatteries to be removed, charged and replaced and the like.

In embodiments, it is to be appreciated that the wireless LED spotlightused to create the wireless track light may use RF or IR control, sensorcontrol or any form of wireless control mentioned herein. By way of anexample, the wireless track light with multiple RF controlled wirelessspotlights may be controlled by a remote control RF transmitter. It isto be appreciated that the wireless LED spotlight may contain theintelligence necessary to implement the programmable functions for awireless light module or apparatus mentioned herein. In someembodiments, the housing may not be similar to a spotlight but rather itmay be similar to the ceiling light or any other form of housing for awireless lighting module or apparatus mentioned herein. In someembodiments, there may be a rail or bar that mounts to the ceiling, wallor under cabinet and the wireless lights that make up the wireless tracklight attach to the rail or bar. In an alternate embodiment, the rail orbar may contain a wireless power source such as batteries such that thewireless lights are powered by that power source and may not contain apower source internally. In such a case, there may be electrical wiringfrom the power source within the rail or bar to the individual wirelesslights. In an alternate embodiment, the rail or bar contains one or moreconnector that the lights plug in to that provide a power source andcontrol. In some embodiments, the rail or bar may also contain awireless control source that is wired to the wireless lights or isavailable at the connectors the lights plug into such that a singlepoint of wireless control may control all of the wireless lights usedwith the wireless track light. In the embodiment where there is amounting mechanism to mount the spotlights to support bars of a dropceiling, there may be wireless power or wireless control installed abovethe support bar (i.e. hidden from sight) and wired to the wirelesslights via wires that enter the wireless light at the mounting mechanismabove the support bars of the drop ceiling.

In embodiments of the ceiling light, there may exist in the ceilinglight module a carbon monoxide, smoke detectors, heat detector, flamedetector and/or thermal sensors in addition to any other form ofwireless control or wireless power that may be present. In someembodiments there may be an indication of an alarm when the detectorcrosses some threshold. In such a case, the alarm may be audible througha bell, buzzer, horn, speaker etc. The ceiling light may also provide avisible indication of the alarm for example by blinking the light,illuminating a different color light source like a red LED or the like.In some embodiments, the ceiling light may contain a transmitter thatmay transmit a message to indicate an alarm and a disparate device maytake action based on the alarm. By way of an example, the ceiling lightmay include a smoke detector that may transmit a message to a fire alarmsystem. In an alternate example, the ceiling lights may form a meshnetwork such that the detection of an alarm in one location may bepropagated through the network such that other ceiling lights installedin the area may provide an alarm indication even if they do not directlydetect the alarm situation. In one use case of this example, a set ofeight ceiling lights with one or more of the sensors mentioned hereinwork as a group such that when one ceiling light detects the alarm, allof the ceiling lights generate an alarm automatically. In this case,there may be no need for a central controller and the distributedintelligence in the ceiling lights provides a standalone safety system.In an alternate embodiment, the ceiling light may contain a motionsensor such that it may be able to transmit a message to a home alarmsystem to provide an indication of an intruder. There may also be abutton on the ceiling lights that allow a user to push the button totest the one or more ceiling lights such that when the button is pushed,the alarm message is propagated through the network. In alternateembodiments the unit is in the form of a night light or sensor lightthat may be mounted anywhere, there may exist in the night light orsensor light module a carbon monoxide, smoke detectors, heat detector,flame detector and/or thermal sensors in addition to any other form ofwireless control or wireless power that may be present and theindication of an alarm may be as mentioned herein. By way of an example,a motion sensor night light that is battery powered may operate undernormal conditions as a night light that may be installed anywhere,however it may also contain a smoke detector such that when smoke isdetected, an alarm indication of some type is asserted such as a buzzerto provide an audible indication of the alarm condition.

In another embodiment, a version of the wireless lighting module maytarget wireless LED spotlight applications where a UV or IR light sourceis present in the spotlight. When motion is detected, the LED spotlightturns on the UV or IR light source such that a detector (security cameraetc) may be able to see the area illuminated by the UV or IR lightwithout the light being visible to anyone or anything in the area. Byway of an example, this application for safety and security may allow auser to see an intruder without the intruder knowing that they have beendetected.

A number of methods have been mentioned herein by which a wireless lightbulb or wireless lighting module may be programmed or configured foroperation. The methods in embodiments of the programmable wireless lightbulb or programmable wireless lighting module may include directconfiguration or control of the unit through one or more buttons, dials,toggles, switches, levers, knobs, an LED touch screen, a keypad, or anysuch controls on the unit, configuration of the unit via thecommunication interface, configuration of the unit by design,configuration of the unit by factory pre-programming, configuration ofthe unit through processing the inputs and adjusting stateappropriately, configuration of the unit through some sequence of actionto indicated to the unit a configuration and the like. It is to beappreciated that any combination of programming or configuration methodis possible in embodiments of a wireless light bulb or wireless lightingmodule.

In a direct configuration example, configuration and programming iscontrolled by the setting and use of one or more input devicesaccessible to the user on the unit itself. By way of an example, an ACpowered wireless light bulb with a light sensor may have a dial on theunit that allows the user to set the net light level directly. To dothis, the user may turn the light on in an environment with any amountof ambient light and turn the dial until the light intensity provided bythe light plus the amount of ambient light is at a level desired by theuser. Intelligence within the AC powered wireless light bulb with lightsensor will thereafter monitor the detected light level from the lightsensor and adjust the light intensity output to match the user setting.In an alternate direct configuration example, an AC powered wirelesslight bulb in a PAR30 form factor the user may have access to a slideswitch with multiple positions each position representing a light outputlevel. Intelligence, electrical circuitry etc in the bulb may detect theswitch position and adjust the light intensity level based on the switchsetting. For example, the light output level of the bulb in one settingmay be equivalent in light output to a typical 40 W incandescent lightbulb, in a second switch setting it may be equivalent to a 60 Wincandescent light bulb and in a third switch setting it may beequivalent to 75 W incandescent light bulb. Thus the user may have onePAR30 light bulb that, by changing the switch position on the bulb, haveavailable to them three different light bulb types. In an alternateexample, the slide switch is replaced by a dial and the user may turnthe dial to a more exact brightness level. In this example, when thedial is turned to the lowest setting, the bulb may have a light outputequivalent to a typical 20 W incandescent light bulb and when the dialis turned to the highest setting, the bulb may have a light outputequivalent to a typical 75 W incandescent bulb. Thus, the light outputmay be adjusted using the dial from equivalent to a 20 W incandescentbulb to the equivalent of a 75 W incandescent bulb. This function may beused a dimmer switch for bulbs that are used in applications where thebulb is within reach of the user, for example a desk lamp, a readinglamp, an interior automotive lamp etc where the dimmer switch is ineffect located on the bulb itself.

In a configuration of the unit via the communication interface example,a wired or wireless connection to the unit may allow a user to configureor program a wireless light bulb or wireless lighting module by sendingand receiving messages over the communication interface to program anyfunctionality mentioned herein. It is to be appreciated that thewireless light bulb or wireless lighting module may contain volatileand/or non-volatile memory to store the configuration or programinformation. In the example of the light bulb that may be set to a 40 W,60 W or 75 W incandescent bulb equivalent, a command may be sent to thebulb over a communication interface to select the light intensity levelfor operation. In another example, the unit has a connector on the unitthat a user may plug a cable with the other end plugged into some typeof programming apparatus (computer, handheld etc.) such that a user mayconfigure or program the unit using the programming apparatus. In aconfiguration of the unit by design or by configuration of the unit byfactory pre-programming example, a wireless light bulb or wirelesslighting module may have a level preset such that the user may expectthe functionality to operate as such. For example, there may be a singleauto-shutoff timer in a motion sensor controlled product where theauto-shutoff time is set in the design or pre-programmed at the factorybased on a customer order. In an alternate example, a daylightharvesting wireless light bulb is preset such that the output lightintensity plus the measurement of the ambient light level is maintainedat a constant light level. In this case, a daylight harvesting bulb thatmaintains the equivalent ambient light level as a 60 W incandescent bulbby setting its output light intensity to meet the preprogrammed lightdetection level equivalent to the 60 W incandescent bulb.

In a configuration of the unit through processing the inputs andadjusting state appropriately or configuration of the unit through somesequence of action to indicate to the unit a configuration, the unit maylearn its configuration and in effect program itself for operation. Forexample, a motion sensor controlled wireless light bulb or wirelesslighting module that also contains a time of day clock may detect a lotof motion at certain times of the day. If the motion statistics exceed acertain level, the unit may program itself to turn on automatically atthat time of day just prior to when the detections would indicated theexpected motion. In an alternate example, power sequencing may be usedto configure the operation of a wireless light bulb. If the power issequenced on, then off, then on again in durations of time understood bythe wireless light bulb, the bulb may be configured for a specificoperation. For example, if a motion controlled wireless light bulb isturned on and left on, the motion sensor may be disabled. If the poweris sequenced in the manner described, the motion sensor may be enabledand controls the wireless light bulb until power is turned off.

In an embodiment, a wireless AC outlet may be designed with batteriesembedded to provide power to any kind of electrical device that plugsinto the outlet. The adapter may contain an integrated wireless powersource (batteries for example), a DC/AC inverter and control that iseither wireless control or manual control such as a switch on thewireless AC outlet that may turn it on or off. The user may then plug inAC powered devices to the wireless AC outlet to power that device. Byway of an example, a wireless AC outlet may be mounted to a wall in anylocation the user desires or it may be mounted to a post that may bedriven into the ground. It is to be appreciated that the wireless ACoutlet may be designed in any housing and contain any mounting mechanismas required by a particular application. It is to be appreciated thatthe power supplied by the wireless AC outlet may be limited to theenergy delivery capacity of the integrated power source. By way of anexample, a wireless AC outlet with a single AC socket and 4 C alkalinebatteries may be limited to the power that the C batteries may be ableto provide to an AC powered device. In embodiments that are powered bybatteries, the wireless AC outlet may contain a battery door that allowsthe batteries to be removed and replaced with fresh batteries. In analternate embodiment, the wireless AC outlet may contain rechargeablebatteries and a method to charge the batteries. The wireless AC outletmay contain a connector that allows it to plug into a charging base, itmay contain a DC jack such that a wall transformer may be plugged into anormal AC outlet and into the DC jack on the wireless AC outlet, it maycontain a battery door allowing the rechargeable batteries to beremoved, charged and replaced and the like. In alternate embodiments,the wireless AC outlet may contain an energy harvesting wireless powersource and integrated rechargeable batteries such that the energyharvesting source may provide power to the wireless AC outlet and/orcharge the batteries as necessary. By way of an example, a wireless ACoutlet contains solar cells and an electrical circuit necessary to takethe energy received from the solar cells and provide power for thewireless AC outlet, charge the batteries and/or share the load betweenthe solar cells and batteries.

In embodiments containing a grid tie inverter, the capability for a userto explicitly command a return of power to the grid may exist. Forexample, a user may have a control mechanism that may detect the batterycharge levels in a device containing a grid tie inverter and if the userdesires to return power to the grid the ability to command such a returnexists. It may exist through software control or the like, but it mayalso exist through direct control on the device itself. In someembodiments, the user may have the ability to command the return ofpower to the grid based on battery capacity level such that there willbe some reserve energy storage if needed. The user may set an upperthreshold of battery capacity level to begin the return of power to thegrid and a lower threshold of battery capacity level where the return ofpower to the grid may stop to maintain a reserve energy storage level orto prevent over discharge of the battery to optimize rechargeablebattery life. Thus the user may be able to control the return of energyto the grid such that there is not a situation when a battery is fullycharged when it is advantageous to be charging the battery (for examplesome time prior to off peak hours when the battery may start chargingagain). In alternate embodiments, the explicit command to return energyto the grid may come from the power company, from a smart meter, from aremote connection where the user may access such controls over theInternet and so on.

In an embodiment of a wireless lighting apparatus, a book lightconsisting of a book with circuitry embedded, integrated power sourcesuch as a battery, switch and one or more LEDs may be designed such thatwhen a reader opens the book, a switch opens or closes with the openingthe book and the LED is illuminated. When the book is closed, the LED isturned off. In some embodiments, there may be another switch to enableor disable the LED light if the user desires. In some embodiments, theone or more LEDs may be attached to an arm that elevates as the bookopens. In this case, the one or more LEDs may be directed in a way thatthey would point toward the area where the illumination is needed. Byway of an example, the book light may be used in a restaurant check booksuch that when a diner opens the book to view their check, the LEDilluminates the check area. When they close the check book, the LEDshuts off. In this example, the check book light consists of a coin cellbattery, a push button that disables the light by pressing the buttonwhile the check book is closed and an LED to illuminate the check bookwhen open.

In an embodiment, an AC outlet adapter may be designed with batteriesembedded to provide power to an alarm clock when there is a poweroutage. By way of an example, the adapter may plug into an AC walloutlet and also have an AC socket that the alarm clock plugs into. In analternate embodiment, the AC outlet adapter that the alarm clock plugsinto provides backup power for the alarm clock but also contains an LEDreading light that is powered by the AC outlet adapter. The LED readinglight may be attached to a flexible arm such that the user may be ableto articulate the light in the direction needed to provide illuminationas necessary. There may be a control mechanism, such as an on/offswitch, at any point on the LED reading light such that the user mayturn the LED reading light on or off as desired without affecting thebattery backup for the alarm clock.

In embodiments of the wireless light bulb or wireless lighting modulewhere one communication interface is WIFI, the wireless light bulb orwireless lighting module may also be able to act as a WIFI repeaterdevice. In such a case, the wireless light bulb or wireless lightingmodule is capable of operating on a single channel and receive thentransmit packets on WIFI. In alternate embodiments, the wireless lightbulb or wireless lighting module may operate on multiple WIFI channelssuch that the unit may be able to receive traffic on one channel andtransmit that traffic on a different channel. It is to be appreciatedthat as a WIFI repeater, the wireless light bulb or wireless lightingmodule operate on any number of channels as required.

In embodiments of the wireless light bulb or wireless lighting module,the light source may be LED, compact fluorescent, fluorescent,induction, halogen, gas discharge, organic LED (OLED), plasma, radiogenerated plasma or incandescent. In one example, a wireless light bulbmay be designed with one or more OLED panels as the light source. TheOLED wireless light bulb may be designed in any type of housingmentioned for a wireless light bulb. In one example, the OLED wirelesslight bulb is designed to mount to a ceiling or replace a ceiling panel.The OLED wireless light bulb may contain any form of wireless control,power source and/or intelligence control typical of a wireless lightbulb. In another example, wireless light bulb may be designed with aradio generated plasma light source. The radio generated plasma wirelesslight bulb may be designed in any type of housing mentioned for awireless light bulb. In one example, the radio generated plasma wirelesslight bulb is designed in an A19 bulb housing. The radio generatedplasma wireless light bulb may contain any form of wireless control,power source and/or intelligence control typical of a wireless lightbulb.

The previously mentioned wireless lighting modules can be grouped intokits to meet specific user applications. A residential or commercialpower saver kit can be constructed of any mix of wireless lightingmodule light bulbs in a kit to allow installation in a residential orcommercial building for savings on energy bills. For example, a homepower saver kit that includes ten AC powered, battery backed wirelesslighting module light bulbs can be used by a consumer to replace the R30incandescent bulbs in their house that would typically be used inrecessed lighting fixtures at substantial savings on power consumption.

A residential or commercial emergency lighting kit can be constructed ofany mix of wireless lighting module light bulbs in a kit to allowinstallation in a residential or commercial building for switching overautomatically to battery backup when an AC power outage is detected. Forexample, an emergency lighting kit that includes twenty AC powered,battery backed wireless lighting module light bulbs can be used by aconsumer to replace the R30 incandescent bulbs in their house that wouldtypically be used in recessed lighting fixtures at substantial savingson power consumption.

In embodiments of wireless light bulbs or battery powered wirelesslighting fixtures containing a PIR device for motion sensing, a thermalsensor may be present to provide a measurement of temperature to allowtemperature compensation of the threshold for motion detection. In someembodiments, a temperature dependant voltage may be generated using athermistor, a resistor network and a supply voltage where the outputvoltage is dependent on the resistance of the thermistor and that outputvoltage may be used to derive the threshold voltage used for motiondetection. Thus, the change in sensitivity of the motion sensor overtemperature may be compensated for by changing the threshold of themotion detection circuit. By way of an example, an operational amplifierused as a comparator at the output of the motion sensing circuitry has athreshold that the voltage that is a representation of the detectedmotion is compared against. Over temperature, the amplified output ofthe PIR sensor may vary to the point that false triggers may occur whichwould turn the light on when motion is not detected or has not beendetected sufficiently to turn the light on. If the threshold at thecomparator varies with temperature, the threshold may move higher orlower compensating for the changes in performance of the PIR sensor andmotion detector circuitry. In an alternate embodiment, the temperatureis measured, converted from analog to digital, read by a microcontrollerand the microcontroller may set a threshold value through a digital toanalog conversion based on the temperature reading. In such a case, todetermine the proper threshold level the microcontroller may have analgorithm programmed in it to calculate the required threshold based onthe measured temperature, the microcontroller may contain a lookup tablesuch that stored in memory a lookup using the read temperature willreturn the required threshold value and the like. In another embodiment,the wireless light bulb or battery powered wireless lighting fixture mayhave a communication interface such that a processor that has ameasurement of temperature may send a command to the bulb or fixture toset the motion detection threshold for compensation. It is to beappreciated that any method of measuring temperature and using thatinformation to modify the threshold based on the input temperature maybe used.

In embodiments of wireless light bulbs or battery powered wirelesslighting fixtures containing any type of sensor, power circuitry, LEDdriver circuit or LED device that may change performance overtemperature, a thermal sensor may be present to provide a measurement oftemperature to allow the behavior of the sensor, power circuitry, LEDdriver circuitry or LED device to be adjusted over temperature. Theadjustment based on detected temperature may be measured using any typeof temperature measuring mechanism mentioned herein. An electricalcircuit, microcontroller, microprocessor, ASIC etc may be present toprocess the measured temperature make an adjustment based on themeasurement. By way of an example, one or more thermal sensors may beconnected to the heatsink which the one or more LED devices are attachedto. A measurement of the heatsink temperature may be used to adjust theLED driver circuit current to a lower or higher drive level based on thetemperature reading. For example, if there is a maximum heatsinktemperature allowable, when the detected temperature is read at or closeto that level, an electrical circuit, microcontroller, microprocessor,ASIC etc may reduce the drive current such that there is less heatgenerated by the LEDs and subsequently the temperature will remain thesame or start to lower due to the change in drive current. It is to beappreciated that the drive current may be adjusted based on thetemperature measurement of any one or more components of a wirelesslight bulb or battery powered wireless lighting fixture or a measurementof the ambient temperature inside or outside of the wireless light bulbor battery powered wireless lighting fixture. By way of another example,a light sensor may be used for daylight harvesting such that thedetected value of the ambient light level may be used to set the lightintensity of the light source such that the total light maintains someconstant level. A thermal sensor may be used for compensation of thelight sensor over temperature such that the ambient light measurement isadjusted over temperature. For example, a microcontroller may read avoltage level at the output of a light sensor circuit through an analogto digital converter. The microcontroller may also read a temperaturedependant voltage that is generated using a thermistor, a resistornetwork and a supply voltage. The microcontroller may control the lightintensity of the light source based on the reading of the ambient lightlevel adjusted based on the temperature measurement. In another example,the measured temperature may be used to change the gain of a receivercircuit for better operation over the operating temperature range. It isto be appreciated that the measured temperature may be used to adjustany sensor, power circuitry, LED driver circuit or LED device withpreset temperature curves that determine a lookup table to provide theadjustment, an algorithm to derive the adjustment to be done based ontemperature and/or time, an automatic adjustment done by an electricalcircuit designed to make the adjust based on the temperature reading, anadjustment received over a communication interface and the like.

In one embodiment, an AC powered battery embedded motion wireless lightbulb contains rechargeable batteries and a PIR motion sensor. In someembodiments, there may be a light sensor inside the bulb to enable themotion sensor for operation or to be used for daylight harvesting. Acharging circuit that supports recharging the batteries in circuit maybe inside the bulb. There may be circuitry to allow either power sourceto be used independently or to share the load depending on whether eachpower source is present and able to supply power to the wireless lightbulb. An electrical circuit, microcontroller, microprocessor, ASIC etcmay be present to perform the selection of which power source to use.The selection of which power source to use may be programming into thewireless light bulb through preprogramming at the factory or the like,through a programming method over a communication interface that may bepresent in the bulb or it may be set directly on the unit through amethod of control such as a dial, push buttons, slide switches and thelike where a user may set whether to use the AC power source, thebattery power source or a sharing of the load between AC and batterypower, to enable or disable the motion sensor, to set the auto-shutofftime period, to set the light intensity level in a mode of operation orto enable or disable the light sensor. In some embodiments, there may bea time of day clock or timer present to control state changes or changethe configuration based on time of day. By way of an example, the ACpowered battery embedded motion wireless light bulb may be enabledduring daytime hours to be controlled by the AC wall switch where theunit is AC powered. During evening hours or during a detected poweroutage, the AC powered battery embedded motion wireless light bulb ispowered by battery power and is controlled by the motion sensor to turnthe light source on and off. In some embodiments, the AC powered batteryembedded motion wireless light bulb may include a fade-to-off effect,fade-to-dim effect, fade-to-glow effect, fade from one light intensitylevel to another light intensity level and so on. In some embodiments,the AC powered battery embedded motion wireless light bulb may includean increase in light intensity over time which may include anoff-to-glow effect, glow-to-dim, glow-to-some light intensity level, anincrease from one light intensity level to a higher light intensitylevel and so on. It is to be appreciated that the change from one lightintensity level to another light intensity level may happen over anyperiod of time that may be implemented with the timers. In someembodiments, the AC powered battery embedded motion wireless light bulbmay include a daylight harvesting function which allows for the lightintensity level of the light source to be set based on the detectedambient light level.

In some embodiments, the AC powered battery embedded motion wirelesslight bulb may sense the state of one or more switches or breakers inthe controlling circuit and switch over to battery power if the detectedswitch state indicates that the AC power should be present, but AC poweris not present. The device may also measure the impedance, resistance,and/or capacitance across the AC power input and return or may measureany other electrical characteristic of the AC power input and return todetermine whether the controlling switch or breaker is open or closed(or if electricity has been turned off at any point up to the AC inputof the device). By way of an example, if the controlling switch orbreaker is open, there may be a high impedance detected across the inputAC power and return. If the controlling switch or breaker is closed,there may be a measurable impedance, resistance and/or capacitance orelectrical characteristic different from when the controlling switch orbreaker is open. A threshold may be set in the device such that if themeasurement is above or below the threshold, the switch or breaker isclosed, and if the measurement is on the opposite side of the threshold,the switch or breaker is open. The device may be controlled by the stateof the controlling switch or breaker (on or off), but may also detectthe condition when the controlling switch or breaker is closed but ACinput power is not present or is not acceptable and may be able toswitch over to the rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries that areembedded as the power source. In some embodiments, the AC poweredbattery embedded motion wireless light bulb may perform an impedancediscontinuity check to determine if the controlling switch of breaker isopen or closed. In some embodiments, the AC powered battery embeddedmotion wireless light bulb may generate a signal onto the line andmonitor the electrical response of the line to determine if the responseindicates an open circuit that may be indicative of a switch or breakeropen in the lighting circuit. It is to be appreciated that when theswitch sense functionality is implemented, the switch or breaker maystill be able to turn on and off power to the AC powered batteryembedded motion wireless light bulb even when running off of theembedded battery power source because the AC powered battery embeddedmotion wireless light bulb may be able to determine if the switch is onor off and apply power or not apply power to the AC powered batteryembedded motion wireless light bulb based on the switch position. Insuch a case, the switch sense circuitry may still need to be poweredalong with any other necessary circuitry to implement this function evenwhen the AC powered battery embedded motion wireless light bulb is notbeing powered.

In embodiments of wireless light bulbs or battery powered wirelesslighting fixtures containing a motion sensing capability, there may be anumber of methods by which motion is detected. There may be a radarbased motion sensor where a transmitter exists in the wireless lightbulb or battery powered wireless lighting fixture to transmit pulses ofradio frequency or microwave. The wireless light bulb or battery poweredwireless lighting fixture may contain a receiver to receive thereflected waves allowing it to determine if there is an object in range,how far away the object is, the velocity of the object and othercharacteristics of the object. Thus, using a radar based motion sensormay allow detection of an object in the detection area, not just thatthe object is moving. A radar based motion sensor may provideinformation about the range to the object which may allow forintelligent decisions to be made about whether the object that isdetected should trigger a change of state of the wireless light bulb orbattery powered wireless lighting fixture. By way of an example, awireless light bulb may turn on only when an object is within 20 feet ofthe wireless light bulb. A radar based motion sensor may determine thatan object is 30 feet away and thereby, even though the object isdetected, still not turn the light on or turn the light on to a lowerlight intensity until the object moves within 20 feet. It is to beappreciated that the transmitter may be disparate meaning that thetransmitter may not be built into the bulb or fixture but rather may bea separate standalone unit where a receiver in the bulb or fixture mayreceive the transmitted pulses and reflections of the transmitted pulsesthat were generated by the disparate transmitter device and react basedon the reception without having to have transmitted the pulses. It is tobe appreciated that a radar wireless light bulb or battery poweredwireless lighting fixture may operate in any radio band with any form ofmodulation where a radar based motion sensor may be operate.

In other embodiments of wireless light bulbs or battery powered wirelesslighting fixtures containing a motion sensing capability, there may asonar based motion sensor where sound propagation is used by thewireless light bulb or battery powered wireless lighting fixture todetect objects in the field of view. An acoustic transmitter that maytransmit any frequency acoustic wave creates the wave and a receiverlistens for the echo return of the transmission. Intelligence in thewireless light bulb or battery powered wireless lighting fixture mayanalyze the received signal and determine if an object is in the fieldof view and the distance to that object. Thus, using a sonar basedmotion sensor may allow detection of an object in the detection area,not just that the object is moving. A sonar based motion sensor mayprovide information about the range to the object which may allow forintelligent decisions to be made out whether the object that is detectedshould trigger a change of state of the wireless light bulb or batterypowered wireless lighting fixture. It is to be appreciated that theacoustic transmitter may be disparate meaning that the transmitter maynot be built into the bulb or fixture but rather may be a separatestandalone unit where a receiver in the bulb or fixture may receive theecho return of the transmissions that were generated by the disparatetransmitter device and react based on the reception without having tohave transmitted the pulses.

In some embodiments of wireless light bulbs or battery powered wirelesslighting fixtures there may be a disparate magnetic switch and an RF orIR transmitter that detects when the magnetic switch is open, closed orhas just changed state and may transmit the state information to awireless light bulb or battery powered wireless lighting fixturecontaining a receiver. Thus, a magnetic switch sensor may be placedanywhere (where the magnet and magnetic switch may be separate housings)to detect a make or break of the magnet and magnetic switch. By way ofan example, the magnetic switch may be attached to a door or windowframe and the magnet may be attached to the door or window. When thedoor or window is closed, the magnetic switch may be actuated. When thedoor or window is opened, the magnetic switch changes state and thedisparate magnetic switch and transmitter transmits the change of stateinformation to one or more wireless light bulbs or battery poweredfixtures that may be controlled by the disparate sensor. It is to beappreciated that the magnetic switch and magnet may be attached to anytwo items that a user may desire a separation of the two items to changethe state of one or more wireless light bulbs or battery poweredlighting fixtures. In alternate embodiments the magnetic switch is not adisparate device but rather is located in or on the housing of thewireless light bulb or battery powered wireless lighting fixture and themagnet is external to the housing such that the wireless light bulb orbattery powered fixture receives a direct indication of the state orchange in state of the magnetic switch with respect to the magnet.

In some embodiments of wireless light bulbs or battery powered wirelesslighting fixtures there may be a disparate pressure switch and an RF orIR transmitter that detects when the pressure switch is open, closed orhas just changed state and may transmit the state information to awireless light bulb or battery powered wireless lighting fixturecontaining a receiver. Thus, a pressure switch sensor may be placedanywhere to detect when an actuating force is applied to the switch. Byway of an example, a pressure switch may be embedded in flooring suchthat when an object is detect on the flooring, for example a personwalking across the floor, the pressure switch changes state andtransmits the state information to one or more wireless light bulbs orbattery powered wireless lighting fixtures that may be controlled by thedisparate sensor. It is to be appreciated that the pressure switch maybe attached to any item that a user may desire a detection of pressureapplied to the item to control the state of one or more wireless lightbulbs or battery powered lighting fixtures. In alternate embodiments thepressure switch is not a disparate device but rather is located in or onthe housing of the wireless light bulb or battery powered fixture suchthat the wireless light bulb or battery powered fixture receives adirect indication of the state or change in state of the pressureswitch. In alternate embodiments, more than one pressure switch ismonitored and the result of a state change of any of the pressureswitches may be transmitted by the RF or IR transmitter. By way of anexample, a large mat of pressure switches may be installed undercarpeting such that any pressure switch change of state may betransmitted to the wireless light bulb or battery powered wirelesslighting fixture. This way the pressure switches may cover an area andit would be less likely that someone or something may pass the pressureswitch mat without being detected.

In some embodiments of wireless light bulbs or battery powered wirelesslighting fixtures there may a disparate infrared beam or laser beamcreated by a transmitter and receiver and an RF or IR transmitter thatdetects when the infrared beam or laser beam between the infrared orlaser transmitter and receiver is present or broken or has just changedstate and may transmit the state information to a wireless light bulb orbattery powered wireless lighting fixture containing a receiver. Thus,an infrared beam or laser beam break may be detected by placing theinfrared or laser transmitter and separate receiver anywhere. By way ofan example, an infrared transmitter and receiver may be installed at theend of a driveway such that when an automobile drives into the driveway,it breaks the infrared transmission that is detected by the receiver.The infrared beam changes state due to the beam break and the infraredreceiver device transmits the state information to one or more wirelesslight bulbs or battery powered wireless lighting fixtures that may becontrolled by the disparate infrared beam break. It is to be appreciatedthat the infrared or laser transmitter and receiver may be attached toany two items that a user may desire a detection of an object betweenthe infrared or laser transmitter or receiver to control the state ofone or more wireless light bulbs or battery powered lighting fixtures.In alternate embodiments the infrared receiver is not a disparate devicebut rather is located in or on the housing of the wireless light bulb orbattery powered fixture such that the wireless light bulb or batterypowered wireless lighting fixture receives a direct indication of thestate or change in state of the infrared or laser transmitter andreceiver beam break.

In embodiments of wireless light bulbs or battery powered wirelesslighting fixtures containing a motion sensing capability, there may be anumber of mechanisms to control how the motion sensing is used tocontrol the wireless light bulb or battery powered wireless lightingfixtures. In some embodiments, the motion sensor may be enabled ordisable through the use of a time of day or timer control such that themotion sensor will be enabled or disabled based on a time setting thatis programmed into the bulb or fixture. In some embodiments, there maybe an external control mechanism that allows a user to enable or disablethe motion sensor. By way of an example, a motion sensor wireless lightbulb may be controlled by a wall switch that has an additional switch onit allowing a user to enable or disable the motion sensor (i.e. overridethe motion sensor) such that the primary control mechanism will be thewall switch or some other mechanism when the switch is in one positionand the primary control mechanism will be the motion sensor when theswitch is in the other position. By way of another example, there may bean RF or IR receiver in the wireless light bulb or battery poweredwireless lighting fixture that would allow a user to enable or disablemotion sensor control using a remote control that may transmit thecontrol to the bulb or fixture. The remote control may be have controlssuch as pushbuttons, switches, dials etc that enables, disables orchanges the sensitivity of the motion sensor control. The remote controlmay set time of day or timer control of when the motion sensor controlis active. A light sensor may be used to enable or disable the motionsensor. The light sensor may be used to disable the motion sensor duringthe daytime when the amount of ambient light that is detected is above athreshold. The light sensor may be used to determine which other controlmechanisms may be used instead of motion sensing. By way of an example,in an embodiment of the wireless light bulb, the light sensor may enablemotion detection during the night, but during the daytime the wallswitch will control power to the wireless light bulb.

In embodiments of wireless light bulbs or battery powered wirelesslighting fixtures containing a motion sensing capability, there may bean ability to change the field of view of the motion sensor bypositioning the motion sensor to change the field of view. By way of anexample, a wireless light bulb or battery powered wireless lightingfixture may contain a PIR sensor that is mounted to a mechanicalapparatus that may allow for “telescoping” the sensor such that it maybe pointed in any direction required for motion detection. In analternate embodiment, a radar or sonar transmitter and/or receiver maybe capable of pointing in any direction required for a field of viewwhere motion is to be detected. Thus, the capability to telescope orpoint the motion sensor in any direction allows the motion sensor to beplaced in the optimal position for motion detection.

In some embodiments of wireless light bulbs or battery powered wirelesslighting fixtures there may be an ability to detect sound or spokencommands and change the state of the bulb or fixture based on the soundor spoken commands. By way of an example, a wireless light bulb orbattery powered wireless lighting fixture may contain a microphone andthe intelligence to process speech such that if a user speaks commandssuch as “Bulbs on”, “Bulbs off”, “Dim up”, “Dim down” or the like thebulb or fixture may change state based on the command detected byspeech.

In an embodiment of a wireless light bulb powered from only AC power orpowered only by battery power or in embodiments of a battery poweredwireless lighting fixtures, the wireless light bulb or battery poweredwireless lighting fixture may contain intelligence to control the lightsource based on time of day and may be programmed by controls on thehousing of the bulb or fixture. Those controls may be in the form ofpushbuttons, switches, dials etc. By way of an example, the time of daywireless light bulb or battery powered wireless lighting fixture maycontain ON, OFF and PROGRAM pushbuttons. At the specific time of daythat the user desires the bulb or fixture to automatically turn on, theuser presses the ON and PROGRAM buttons simultaneously. Amicrocontroller, microprocessor, ASIC etc may contain a time source,such as a real time clock, free running timer or the like, and maycontain the intelligence to record that time and a state change based onthat time such that every day at that time or on regular intervals ofthe free running timer, the time of day wireless light bulb or batterypowered wireless lighting fixture will automatically turn on. At anotherspecific time during the day that the user desires the bulb or fixtureto turn off, the user presses the OFF and PROGRAM buttonssimultaneously. In alternate embodiments, there may be controls to setthe light intensity of the bulb or fixture. In such embodiments, theremay be a DIM UP and DIM DOWN pushbutton, dial switch or the like controland a method to use the PROGRAM button or similar to record the changein light intensity at that time. By way of an example, the user maydesire to reduce the light intensity during the day due to the higherambient light levels and therefore may use the DIM DOWN control to setthe new light intensity level first thing in the morning, then use thePROGRAM button in some manner to program that light intensity levelchange at that time of the day every day. The user may then set a higherintensity level at night time by using the DIM UP control to increasethe light intensity level and then use the PROGRAM button to programthat light intensity level at that time every day. There may be a CLEARcontrol mechanism that may allow a user to clear programmed statechanges. It is to be appreciated that the user may program as many on,off and light intensity setting at different times of day as may beprogrammed into the device. Programming by time of day may provide somecost savings in energy usage when lighting needs to be on most or all ofthe day. It is to be appreciated that there may be any number of changesin the light output and the light intensity may be set to any level fromoff to maximum light intensity. In alternate embodiments, the samecontrol may be provided by a communication interface in the bulb orfixture such that similar ON, OFF, DIM UP, DIM DOWN, PROGRAM and thelike controls are on a remote control. The external device communicatingwith and controlling or programming the bulb or fixture may be acomputer running a software program, a custom remote control, a buildingmanagement unit, a lighting circuit control unit etc. and may have thecommunication interface allowing it to communicate with the bulb orfixture. It is to be appreciated that settings programmed in the bulb orfixture may be stored in non-volatile memory such that when the deviceis powered down, the programming is not lost. It is to be appreciatedthat there may be an integrated power source that may allow the realtime clock or timers to continue running when power to a wireless lightbulb is turned off. In embodiments that are only powered by batterypower, the intelligence may also use battery capacity level to set thelight intensity output. In such an example, battery power may berechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries or fuel cells. It is to beappreciated that any wireless power source or any combination ofwireless power sources may be used to supply power to or recharge energystorage in the bulb or fixture in connection with the battery poweredbulb or fixture controlled based on time of day.

In an embodiment of the UPS light bulb, the UPS light bulb is not in atypical housing such as a standard size bulb, non-standard size bulb,fixture, fluorescent bulb, fluorescent lamp or down light assembly, butis rather an adapter that plugs into an existing fixture that a standardsize bulb, non-standard size bulb, fluorescent bulb or lamp would pluginto such that this UPS light bulb adapter may provide all of thefunctionality of the UPS light bulb including a light source in the UPSlight bulb adapter in addition to the off the shelf bulbs or lampsplugged into it. By way of an example, the UPS light bulb adapter has alight source in the adapter. The UPS light bulb adapter typically willpass power through to the bulb or lamp plugged into it such that thebulb or lamp may be the light source. When the UPS light bulb adapterdetects that power has dropped out (i.e. there is a power outage) orsome other characteristic that makes power no longer desirable to use(brownout conditions, electrical surges, overvoltage conditions, voltagesag or flickers, line noise, frequency variations, switching transients,harmonic distortion, etc.), the adapter may turn on its embedded lightsource powered by the power source integrated into the UPS light bulbadapter. Thus, a UPS light bulb adapter may typically consist of aconnector allowing it to plug into a socket, a socket connector allowinga bulb or lamp to plug into it, a housing allowing it to fit into thefixture where it will be installed, a light source, an integrated powersource and charging circuitry if needed, power circuitry such as anAC/DC converter, input from a ballast controller or the like, circuitryto monitor the power input and any wireless control that may be used tocontrol the UPS light bulb adapter such as a receiver allowing a remotetransmitter to control the UPS light bulb adapter. It is to beappreciated that the light source may be located in a manner to directlight out of an existing fixture to provide light coming out of theexisting fixture with the bulb or lamp plugged into it. For example, ifa PAR30 light bulb plugs into the UPS light bulb adapter in a fixtureand the UPS light bulb adapter contains an LED light source, the one ormore LEDs may be mounted on UPS light bulb adapter housing such that thelight emitted from the one or more LEDs is pointed to the outer edge ofthe PAR30 light bulb. When the LED light source of the UPS light bulbadapter is turned on, the light emitted by the LED light source will befrom behind the PAR30 light bulb, but will be directed toward theopening between the edge of the PAR30 light bulb and the fixture suchthat the PAR30 light bulb would obstruct as little of the light aspossible. By way of an example, in a six inch recessed fixture, the UPSlight bulb adapter is plugged into the Edison socket. An R30 bulb isplugged into the UPS light bulb adapter. The UPS light bulb adapter mayswitch on the backup light source and integrated power source for anyreason. For example, the UPS light bulb adapter may have the circuitrypresent to monitor the input AC power at the Edison socket. If the UPSlight bulb adapter detects that power is not present at the Edisonsocket, the light source may be turned on. The UPS light bulb adaptermay contain a relay or switching circuit such that power to the bulb orlamp plugged in may be opened by the UPS light bulb adapter whetherpower is present or not. In such a case, the UPS light bulb adapter maymake intelligent decisions based on programming, wireless control orsensors on the adapter to switch to the backup light source or a usermay explicitly switch over to the backup light source. The UPS lightbulb adapter may contain the circuitry to sense the state of the one ormore controlling switches or breakers in the lighting circuit in anymanner mentioned here in (measuring the impedance, resistance, and/orcapacitance at the AC power input, testing for an impedancediscontinuity in the path to the AC input etc).

In one use case of an emergency lighting system, the lighting consistsof wireless light bulbs or battery powered wireless lighting fixturesthat are off grid and may receive transmission from a power outagemodule or an emergency lighting power outage module such that a detectedcondition that would require a switchover to emergency lighting, such asa power outage, would trigger a transmission to a detached emergencylighting system consisting of wireless light bulbs or battery poweredwireless lighting fixtures containing one or more wireless powersources. They may have a connection to grid power, but typically thedetached emergency lighting system will be entirely off grid. Thewireless light bulbs or battery powered wireless lighting fixtures mayhave one or more forms of wireless control. The bulbs or fixtures mayhave a transceiver that would allow them to wirelessly communicate withone or more disparate wireless light bulbs and battery powered wirelesslighting fixtures to enable coordinated operation between more than onebulb and/or fixture. Following this example, an input can beretransmitted within a network of wireless light bulbs and batterypowered wireless lighting fixtures, where the network of lightingmodules can be dispersed within a geographic area to create a detachedemergency lighting system over a large area. By way of an example, anoutdoor emergency lighting system may be created that is detached byusing battery powered wireless lighting fixtures and a power outagemodule. Because the battery powered wireless lighting fixtures may beinstalled anywhere, a user may install them where there are no on gridpower connections and still get lighting in an emergency situation. Thebattery powered wireless lighting fixtures may come in the form of stairlights, spotlights, path lights, exit signs and lighting, stair welllights, floor lights, ceiling lights, hallway lights, sconces etc toprovide lighting in an emergency situation. If all of the batterypowered wireless lighting fixtures are within range, the power outagemodule may directly turn them on during an emergency situation. If allof the battery powered wireless lighting fixtures are not in range, anetwork may be formed to propagate the emergency lighting commands toall of the lights in the detached emergency lighting system.

In some embodiments, a wireless light bulb or battery powered wirelesslighting fixture may be built into an explosion proof or flame proofhousing. The wireless light bulbs or battery powered wireless lightingfixtures may have a connection to on grid power and also have anintegrated power source such as rechargeable batteries. In an emergencysituation, such as an explosion or a fire in an industrial environment,the wireless light bulb or battery powered wireless lighting fixture mayswitch over to the integrated power source to continue to providelighting after the emergency situation for an extended period of time.It is to be appreciated that there may be one or more lenses,reflectors, optical filters, aperture, and so on that are integratedinto the housing of the explosion or flame proof wireless light suchthat the light source may be protected from the cause of the hazard.

In some embodiments, a wireless light bulb or a battery powered wirelesslighting fixture used may have an indication of a low battery level.There may be a method to test the bulb or fixture, such as a button thatmay be pressed to briefly test that the light output powered by anintegrated power source is healthy, that may provide an indication ofthe battery level. In alternate embodiments, the wireless light bulb orbattery powered wireless lighting fixture may have a transmitterdesigned in that may transmit a representation of the battery chargelevel to allow an external system such as a computer, laptop, handheldcomputer, dedicated hardware etc. to provide a user with a status onwhether the battery power is at an acceptable level. By way of anexample, in an emergency lighting system, a battery powered wirelesslighting fixture may transmit its battery charge level to a centralcontrolling station that would then provide an alarm to a user when thebattery charge level is below a threshold. The user may then replace thebatteries. In alternate embodiments, there is one or more colored LEDsor a multicolor LED on the wireless light bulb or wireless lightingmodule that may provide a visual indication of the battery charge level.

In some embodiments of wireless light bulbs and battery powered wirelesslighting fixtures there may be a receiver that may receive an emergencybroadcast such as a radio broadcast of the emergency broadcast system.In such embodiments, the bulbs or fixtures that detect the broadcastswitch over to a mode to indicate to the users that there is anemergency situation such as blinking the lights. In alternateembodiments, the bulbs or fixtures may receive a local broadcast that auser may make to provide a visual indication provided by the lighting ofan event. For example, a user may blink the lights three times toindicate that it is the end of break time and that workers on a breakneed to return to their stations. In another example, a school may blinklights some number of times in certain areas to indicate that the end ofa period or session. In another example, an office building may blinksome number of lights continuously to indicate an emergency situation.It is to be appreciated that wireless light bulbs or battery poweredwireless lighting fixtures may receive a command and control the lightoutput, color and intensity in any way possible to communicate a messageto an audience. Any type of remote control can wirelessly communicatewith the wireless light bulbs or battery powered wireless lightingfixtures to control or program this functionality into them. Forinstance, the remote control can be a stand-alone remote control and/orincorporated into a disparate device (e.g., incorporated into a key fob,a programmable wireless transceiver integrated in an automobile.).Moreover, the remote control can be a personal computer, a cellularphone, a smart phone, a laptop, a handheld communication device, ahandheld computing device, a global positioning system, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), and/or any other suitable device.

In some embodiments of an emergency lighting system, there may be a UPSlight bulb, wireless light bulb or battery powered wireless lightingfixture with a receiver and a remote light sensor transmitter. Theremote light sensor transmitter may be configured to detect the level oflight and transmit to the UPS light bulb, wireless light bulb or batterypowered wireless lighting fixture to turn them on or off. A user mayinstall one or more bulbs or fixtures and place the remote light sensortransmitter in a location where the user knows it should detect a highamount of ambient light. If the remote light sensor transmitter is nolonger detecting light, it may mean there is a power outage and thelighting is disabled. The remote light sensor transmitter would thentransmit to the UPS light bulb, wireless light bulb or battery poweredwireless lighting fixture a command to change state such as switch toback up power, turn on, change the light intensity etc. It is to beappreciated that the remote light sensor transmitter may be detectinglighting that is not a UPS light bulb, wireless light bulb or batterypowered wireless lighting fixture. In such a case, the remote lightsensor transmitter may be used to switch to an alternate light sourcefor example for the purpose of emergency lighting. In other embodiments,the light sensor is built into the UPS light bulb or wireless light bulband detects when the lights go off due to a power outage or otherreason. In such a case, the light sensor is powered by the integratedpower source. When input power is lost, the UPS light bulb or wirelesslight bulb may detect this because the light sensor will no longerdetect light coming out of the UPS light bulb or wireless light bulb atwhich point the bulb may switch over to the integrated power sourceuntil it may detect that input power is restored. Thus, the lightsensor, whether remote or built directly into a light, will provide anindication when there is not light coming out and may effect a statechange based on that information. In one use case, a remote light sensortransmitter is installed at a six inch recessed fixture where there isan R30 bulb and battery powered wireless lighting path lights areinstalled around the perimeter of the area. The remote light sensortransmitter is installed in the recessed fixture where it may detectwhether light is coming out of that recessed fixture. If the remotelight sensor transmitter detects that light is not coming out, it maytransmit a command to the path lights installed around the perimeter toturn on. It is to be appreciated that the remote light sensortransmitter may have controls built in such as buttons, switches, dialsetc to configure it for operation. For example, a dial may be present toset the threshold ambient light level that would trigger the transmitterto send a message to the lights it is controlling to turn them on,change light intensity etc. In another example, the remote light sensortransmitter may be disabled with a push button to turn off detectionwhen a user does not wish it to be active. In some embodiments, theremote light sensor transmitter has multiple levels of ambient lightthat it may detect. By way of an example, it may detect when a highintensity discharge (HID) light is on (level 1), a backup or emergencylight is on but the HID light is off (level 2) and when all light is off(level 3).

An embodiments of the wireless light bulb may take the form of an exitsign retrofit LED wireless light bulb such that the housing of the bulbis designed to fit into an exit sign (T5 tube, T6 tube etc), but theexit sign retrofit LED wireless light bulb also has a battery embeddedin it such that an exit sign may operate without the need for anemergency lighting power circuit or a local power source. When power tothe bulb is not detected, the exit sign retrofit LED wireless light bulbwill automatically switch to battery power. Battery power may berechargeable or non-rechargeable. If the battery power is rechargeable,there may be a charging circuit that manages the rechargeable batteriesto maintain the charge level at an acceptable level for the exit sign.In alternate embodiments, the integrated power source is a supercapacitor or the like. The exit sign retrofit LED wireless light bulbmay contain red, green, white or any other color LED that may be desiredfor illumination.

In embodiments of the wireless light bulb or wireless lighting fixturecontaining batteries, there may be a heat shield or insulator mounted ina way to keep the temperature generated by the other components in thebulb or fixture, such as the heat sink, from increasing the temperatureof the batteries. The heat shield or insulator may be constructed ofceramic, fiberglass or any other known material. In an alternateexample, the shield or insulator separating the batteries from the othercomponents may be mounted to the cover with some space left between thebatteries and the thermal heat sink. The cover may have some ventilationholes or other methods to allow the heat to escape and keep thetemperature of the batteries as low as possible. There may also be aheat shield or insulator through the heat sink and above the heat sinkto shield or insulate the batteries from the heat sink and components.In alternate embodiments, there may be a thermal sensor connected to apoint where a measurement of the battery temperature may be made and achange in the use of or charging of the batteries may be made. Forexample, if the battery temperature exceeds some set limit, ameasurement of the temperature of the battery may trigger a reduction ofthe light intensity which would subsequently lower the batterytemperature by lowering the current draw on the batteries and the amountof heat generated by the LEDs. In another example, the battery chargingcurrent may be reduced in response to the measurement of the batterytemperature exceeding some set limit. This is important to optimize theusable life of the batteries in a wireless light bulb or wirelesslighting fixture.

In one use case of an AC outlet adapter, the AC outlet adapter may bedesigned with a real time clock and a method that a user may programtimes during the day when the adapter will turn on and off as well aswhen the plugged in device will use battery power versus AC input power.The adapter may operate off of and pass through AC power, may contain anintegrated wireless power source (batteries for example), a DC/ACinverter and control that is either wireless control or manual controlsuch as a switch on the wireless AC outlet that may turn it on or off.The user may then plug in AC powered devices to the AC outlet adapter topower that device. By way of an example, the time of day AC outletadapter may contain ON, OFF and PROGRAM pushbuttons. At the specifictime of day that the user desires the adapter to automatically turn on,the user presses the ON and PROGRAM buttons simultaneously. Amicrocontroller, microprocessor, ASIC etc may contain a time source,such as a real time clock or the like, and may contain the intelligenceto record that time and a state change based on that time such thatevery day at that time, the time of day wireless light bulb or batterypowered fixture will automatically turn on. At another specific timeduring the day that the user desires the bulb or fixture to turn off,the user presses the OFF and PROGRAM buttons simultaneously.

In some embodiments, a virtual load control switch may be designed whichcontains circuitry to act as a load control switch receiving a loadcontrol or demand response command from the power company and maytransmit over a communication interface to one or more wireless lightbulbs or battery powered wireless lighting fixtures to turn off, changelight intensity, switch over all or a portion of the load to batterypower etc. In some embodiments, the unit may control the wireless lightbulbs or battery powered wireless lighting fixtures in an installationin a demand response energy efficiency system, for load control purposesand the like. This virtual load control switch may contain a timer suchthat after it receives a command from the power company to change to alower energy consumption state, the virtual load control switch maystart a timer and when the timer expires the virtual load control switchwill send a command returning to the original state of operation or toanother state of operation. The virtual load control switch maycommunicate with the power company infrastructure in a manner similar toa load control switch containing a relay that the power company mayremotely control to cut power to devices that draw a lot of power likeappliances, HVACs etc however the load control command would be receivedby the virtual load control switch and instead control any wirelesslight bulbs or battery powered wireless lighting fixtures that may bedesired. In such a case, the virtual load control switch may beprogrammable. By way of an example, the virtual load control switch withan RF communication interface may communicate to a network of wirelesslight bulbs or battery powered fixtures that allows it to communicatewith any wireless light bulb or battery powered fixture in the network.In one example, the virtual load control switch may be programmable overthe RF communication interface. In another example, the virtual loadcontrol switch may have an Ethernet interface on the unit and have an IPaddress assigned to the interface. A software program running on theunit may allow a user to open a web browser and type in the IP addressassigned to the unit. A graphical user interface served by the virtualload control switch may open up providing a method for the user toimplement the desired functionality. The virtual load control switch maycommunicate with a an intelligent electrical meter, smart meter, energygateway, lighting control software and the like, over an appropriatecommunication interface using a protocol that allows the virtual loadcontrol switch, which controls the installation of wireless light bulbsand battery powered wireless lighting fixtures and meter etc. toexchange information. The virtual load control switch may allow a userto configure that the lighting turns off, that the lighting changesintensity levels, that the lighting switch some or all of the energythat is used over to an integrated power source in a wireless lightbulb. By way of an example, a typical response to a load control commandin lighting is to turn off or reduce the light intensity in either casereducing power consumption at the cost of a reduction in the lightoutput. A wireless light bulb with an integrated power source, forexample rechargeable batteries, allows a response to the load controlcommand where the wireless light bulb uses stored power to power thelight source partly or entirely. If the load control command intended toreduce the light intensity levels, the wireless light bulb may reducethe power consumption from the power company, but maintain the normallight intensity levels (the light intensity level prior to receipt ofthe load control command) by supplying some power from stored power inthe wireless light bulb. In another example, the wireless light bulbturns off all power consumption from the power company and powers thelight source only from stored power in the integrated power source. Insome embodiments, the virtual load control switch may be designed into awireless light bulb such that it receives the load control commanddirectly from the power company. In some cases, a wireless light bulb ina network of or a coordinated group of wireless light bulbs maypropagate the load control information to other wireless light bulbssuch that groups of wireless light bulbs may change state based on theload control command without having to have received it directly.

In alternate embodiments, a virtual load control switch may be designedwhich contains circuitry to act as a load control switch receiving aload control command from the power company and may transmit over acommunication interface to one or more external light socket adapters,AC outlet adapters, AC outlet replacements, AC powered devices, ACcircuit with embedded battery device designed with batteries embedded,wall switch or lighting control component and the like to turn off orswitch over all or a portion of the load to battery power in thedevices. In some embodiments, the virtual load control switch may bedesigned into a external light socket adapters, AC outlet adapters, ACoutlet replacements, AC powered devices, AC circuit with embeddedbattery device designed with batteries embedded, wall switch or lightingcontrol component and the like such that it receives the load controlcommand directly from the power company.

In some embodiments, demand response may be implemented in wirelesslight bulbs by designing a receiver into the bulbs that may receive aload shed signal from a lighting panel over existing electrical wiringthat the wireless light bulbs may use to either turn off lights, changelighting intensity levels or that the wireless light bulb switch some orall of the energy that is used over to an integrated power source in awireless light bulb. In one example, the wireless light bulb may reducethe power consumption from the power company, but maintain the normallight intensity levels (the light intensity level prior to receipt ofthe load control command) by supplying some power from stored power inthe wireless light bulbs.

In embodiments of the wireless light bulb or battery powered wirelesslighting fixture, the devices may be able to receive commands from smartgrid devices (smart meters, energy gateways, lighting control panels,software control systems and the like) and have the intelligence builtinside the bulbs or fixtures to implement load control, receive pricingsignals and manage demand based on dynamic pricing, reduce usage basedon pricing or load reduction signals, allow access remotely to controlthe lighting installation, allow customers to manage the lightinglocally and the like. By way of an example, a pricing signal may bereceived by one or more wireless light bulbs. A wireless light bulb withan integrated power source may have a pricing threshold set such thatbelow that threshold when the pricing is such that it is advantageous tobuy power, the wireless light bulb will consume power in addition tothat necessary to power the light source and will charge the integratedpower source. The stored power in the integrated power source may thenbe used at a later time when energy pricing is higher. In some cases,the wireless light bulb will have an upper pricing threshold thattriggers the use of stored power and a lower price threshold thattriggers the storage of power. In alternate embodiments, the wirelesslight bulbs contain a grid tie inverter and there is a net meteringcapability that allows the bulbs to return power to the grid. Thisability to control the use of and return of stored power to the grid maybe controlled by a smart meter, energy gateway, lighting control panel,software control systems and the like. In one use case, a wireless lightbulb is designed as a six inch recessed fixture retrofit withrechargeable batteries embedded. A smart meter may communicate usingZIGBEE with the six inch recessed fixture retrofit wireless light bulbto implement any control mentioned herein. It is to be appreciated thatany type of wireless light bulb or any communication interface typeherein may be used in conjunction with the claimed subject matter.

In embodiments of external light socket adapters, AC outlet adapters, ACoutlet replacements, AC powered devices, AC circuit with embeddedbattery device designed with batteries embedded, wall switch or lightingcontrol component and the like, the devices may be able to receivecommands from smart grid devices (smart meters, energy gateways,lighting control panels, software control systems and the like) and havethe intelligence built inside to implement load control, receive pricingsignals and manage demand based on dynamic pricing, reduce usage basedon pricing or load reduction signals, allow access remotely to controlthe devices, allow customers to manage the device locally and the like.By way of an example, a pricing signal may be received by one or moredevices. A device with an integrated power source may have a pricingthreshold set such that below that threshold when the pricing is suchthat it is advantageous to buy power, the device will consume power inaddition to that necessary to power the device and will charge theintegrated power source. The stored power in the integrated power sourcemay then be used at a later time when energy pricing is higher. In somecases, the devices will have an upper pricing threshold that triggersthe use of stored power and a lower price threshold that triggers thestorage of power. In alternate embodiments, the devices contain a gridtie inverter and there is a net metering capability that allows thedevices to return power to the grid. This ability to control the use ofand return of stored power to the grid may be controlled by a smartmeter, energy gateway, lighting control panel, software control systemsand the like.

In another illustrative embodiment, a version of the wireless lightingmodule targets stair light 3000 applications. With reference to FIG. 30,illustrated is a perspective view of an embodiment of a stair light3000. In the illustrated embodiment, the stair light 3000 includes ahousing 3010, a plurality of LEDs 3020, a motion sensor 3030, logic3040, a power source 3050 and a light sensor 3060. In the illustratedembodiment, the stair light 3000 includes 1 LED. In alternativeembodiments, the stair light may include more LEDs 3020 to providegreater illumination or fewer LEDs 3020 to use less power. It is to beappreciated that the stair light 3000 can include any number of LEDs3020, and the LEDs 3020 can be positioned at substantially any locationswith respect to one another as well as in comparison to the housing3010. It is noted that the stair light 3000 can be used in a manyapplications including a step light, a night light, a path light, a decklight and any other application that may benefit from the features andform factor of the stair light 3000. In the illustrated embodiment theLED is the light source and is directed toward the ground to providelight to illuminate a dark area for walking up stairs, in a room toguide a user safely to a desired location, on the posts of a deck toilluminate a deck or in any area where a user needs additional lighthowever alternate embodiments may point the LEDs in any direction thatmay be required for the application. In the illustrated embodiment, thestair light 3000 illuminates an area of approximately ten square feet.Alternate embodiments may include but are not limited to any known lightsource including LEDs, compact fluorescent and incandescent bulbs andcan illuminate any size area required by the application.

In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 3010 is constructed ofplastic. Alternatively, the housing 3010 can be constructed of metal orany other known material. In one embodiment the housing can bewaterproof, UV resistant and/or corrosion resistant for use outdoors ordifficult environments. In one embodiment (not shown), the housing 3010includes a mounting device for mounting the stair light, step light ornightlight to a wall, stair well, deck post, or other surface. Exemplarymounting devices include screws, nails, adhesive, suction cups, magnets,VELCRO, fixing posts, flanged heads of fasteners, and other knownmounting devices. In this embodiment, the housing 3010 is configured tobe mounted on a wall of a room, stairwell, closet, attic, basement,garage, storage area, shed, hallway, stairway, emergency exit path,alley or porch, or in any other indoor or outdoor location where lightmay be desired. It is to be appreciated that the housing 3010 can be anysize and/or shape and is not limited to the depicted illustration (e.g.,the housing 3010 can be dome shaped, pyramid shaped, cylindrical,rectangular, square).

In one embodiment the housing is mounted on an articulating bracketmounted to a surface that allows the user to mount the light to anyangle wall or surface and articulate the light straight up, down or atany angle desired. In another embodiment, the housing can be mounted toa stake or post made of plastic, metal or any other known materialallowing any of the mounting devices described to be used to mount thelight onto the stake or post. The stake or post can be driven into theground, can be on a tripod or stand to be free standing or fixed to thearea or can be attached to an area in any possible way to create a pathlight that can illuminate walkways, sidewalks, alleys, or in any otherindoor or outdoor location where light might be desired. FIG. 32 showsan example of path light created by mounting the stair light 3210 to astake 3220 that can be driven into the ground.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the stair light 3000 includes apower source 3050, such as a battery. In the illustrated embodiment, thestair light is powered by 3 C batteries. In another illustratedembodiment, as shown in FIG. 31, the sensor light 3100, a smallerversion of the stair light that emits less light and is in a smallerhousing, three “AA” size alkaline batteries are used as a power source.In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor light 3100 includes a housing3110, a plurality of LEDs 3120, a motion sensor 3130, logic 3140, apower source 3150, and a light sensor 3160. It should be understood thatany number and type of known batteries may be used, including withoutlimitation all known alkaline and nickel-cadmium batteries, depending onsize and power requirements. According to another example, the powersource can be any number and type of rechargeable batteries and/ornon-rechargeable batteries. Pursuant to a further illustration, thepower source can be a combination of a solar cell and one or morebatteries (e.g., rechargeable, non-rechargeable, . . . ). Thus, forinstance, a battery can supplement the power supplied by the solar cell(or vice versa) and/or the solar cell can recharge a battery. In someembodiments of the foregoing arrangement, a solar cell may be diodeor-ed with a battery and the battery may be non-rechargeable.

The battery 3050 supplies power to the stair light 3000 to enableinstalling, moving, replacing, etc. the unit at substantially any indooror outdoor location while mitigating the need for expensive and timeconsuming wiring and/or utilization of aesthetically unpleasing andpotentially inconvenient cords commonly associated with conventionallighting.

In alternate embodiments the power source may include a fuel cell, suchas and without limitation a hydrogen fuel cell, a reformed methanol fuelcell, or the like.

In some embodiments the power to the unit may be powered directly fromAC or from a DC input that comes from an external AC to DC converter. Inother embodiments, the unit will contain rechargeable batteries suchthat the unit can be recharged by connecting the unit to an AC powersource, cabling to an AC power source or plugging the unit into arecharging base.

With continued reference to illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 30 theinput component is a motion sensor. When the motion sensor 3030 detectsmotion, logic 3040 determines if the motion is above a predeterminedthreshold. If the motion is above the predetermined threshold, the logic3040 instructs an LED controller to turn on at least one LED. The motionsensor will only be operational if the light sensor 3060 detects thatdetected light is at a low enough level to allow the unit to turn on(i.e. the unit will only work in the dark or whatever low light level isset by the light sensor and its detection circuitry). After the at leastone LED is turned on, the logic starts a timer. The logic will theninstruct the LED controller to turn off the at least one LED if nomotion is detected before the timer reaches a predetermined timerthreshold. If motion is detected before the timer reaches the timerthreshold, the LED will remain on and the timer will reset to the timerstarting point. The illustrated embodiment includes this auto shutofffeature to extend battery life. This feature is factory set via a timerthat expires such that after turn on, if there is no reactivation of thecontrol to turn the LEDs on, the unit will automatically turn the LEDsoff when the timer expires.

In the illustrated embodiment, the timer consists of an RC electricalcircuit that discharges to the factory set voltage threshold over someperiod of time at which time, if not retriggered, will automaticallyshut off the LEDs. Other embodiments may have a timer built in any knowntimer circuit. This feature may be set by toggling or setting a switch,may be dial selectable, may be set by a potentiometer, may beprogrammable directly or by remote, may be responsive to a battery'slevel, may include fade-to-off effect and so on. A second feature mayhave two or more auto shutoff levels set by multiple timers. For examplethe auto shutoff feature may control the light from bright to dim whenthe first timer expires and from dim to off when the second timerexpires and so on.

The illustrated embodiment includes a circuit that allows the unit toglow at a level such that the unit can be a marker in a dark environmentand when motion is detected it turns on to a bright level forillumination to a level that a user can find their way on stairs, stepsor where a night light would be desirable. An alternate embodiment wouldinclude a circuit that allows the unit to be on at a low light level toilluminate an area with enough light to see the area from a distant andwhen motion is detected it turns on to a bright level for illuminationto a level that a user can find their way on stairs, steps or where anight light would be desirable. In another embodiment, the low lightlevel blinks at some rate to provide a marker until a sensor triggerstransitioning to a bright level. In some embodiments, the control of thebrightness level at glow, low, bright or any brightness level the usermay desire is controlled by a dial, buttons, switches, RF/IR remote orany other known control to allow the user to set the different lightlevels to the individual user preference.

In the illustrated embodiment, the shape of the hollowed out face in thehousing 3010 is designed to enhance the appearance of the glow level ofthe LEDs as well as better reflect the light when the light is turned toa bright light level. In other embodiments, an optical lens or lenses orreflectors to direct the light, reflect the light or change the viewingangle of the LEDs. The housing of the unit may include any number ofoptical elements. The optical elements may serve to focus, diffuse,filter, collimate, or otherwise affect light produced by the LEDs 3020.In embodiments, the optical elements may include one or more lenses,reflectors, optical filters, aperture, and so on. The lenses may befixed, a multiple lens array, adjustable, and so on. The lenses orreflectors may be manually adjustable, motorized with direct controlwith switches on the unit for adjusting the direction or characteristicsof the light source, motorized with a remote control for adjusting thedirection or characteristics of the light source through RF or IRcontrol or it may detect motion and automatically adjust the lenses orreflectors to aim the light in the direction of the motion either toilluminate an area or as a deterrent for security reasons or as adeterrent for animals.

In another embodiment, the light can be programmed to fade over timesuch that the light is activated and slowly fades until it reacheseither a glow level or a low light level. An example of this applicationis a light in the bedroom of a child that is on when they go to bed atnight, but fades over time to a glow level or a low light level as theyfall asleep. The design can include any controls, methods and circuitsby which to achieve multiple light levels. In addition the design mayinclude methods and circuits to achieve constant current control toachieve consistent brightness at the different light levels.

A feature can be added such that when the batteries are detected toreach a predetermined low level of charge, the light will blink toindicate to the user that the batteries need to be replaced. In analternate embodiment, the light may include a push button with a lightbar that would show the battery level when the button is pushed.

The stair light may also include an on/off switch, a push button todisable the sensor from activating the light for some period of time ora push button providing a sleep function that will shut the light offuntil the next time the light is enabled to operate when the lightsensor senses a transition from light to dark. An alternate embodimentcould include a sleep/awake button or buttons such that the light can beput into sleep mode either until that button or another button is pushedto transition back to operational or until the next time the light isenabled to operate when the light sensors senses a transition from lightto dark. Alternate embodiments may also allow for control of the lightby time of day or timer controls such as dials to set when the light isenabled and when it is disabled. The time of day or timer to control thelight can be set in any manner can be conceived of.

In the illustrated embodiment, the stair light 3000 includes a passiveinfrared sensor configured to detect motion. In one embodiment, thepassive infrared sensor has a range of approximately 30 feet and aviewing angle of 110 degrees. In alternative embodiments, the passiveinfrared sensor may have a range and viewing angle of any known passiveinfrared sensor. In one alternative embodiment, the passive infraredsensor is removably connected to the unit so that a user may connect anyappropriate sensor. In some embodiments, the passive infrared sensor maybe replaced or enhanced by a radar sensor, an ultrasound sensor, or anyand all other form of motion sensor.

In other embodiments, any and all sensors may include a detectionthreshold or false detection rate that can be configured according to auser's preference. For example and without limitation, a light sensormay be configured to detect when incoming light crosses a user-preferredintensity threshold. A variety of other such examples will beappreciated, all of which are within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

In the illustrated embodiment, a Fresnel lens enables motion detections.The motion detector includes a Fresnel lens that guides infrared lightover the PIR sensor in a substantially repeating pattern as a heatsource (such as a person, vehicle, and so on) passes in front of thelens. In embodiments, the Fresnel lens may be selected to provide adesired zone of coverage. It will be understood that a variety ofembodiments of motion detectors including the Fresnel lens are possible.

With continued reference to FIG. 30, when the motion sensor 3030 detectsmotion, logic 3040 determines if the motion is above a predeterminedthreshold. If the motion is above the predetermined threshold, the logic3040 instructs an LED controller to turn on at least one LED 3020. Afterthe at least one LED 3020 is turned on, the logic 3040 starts a timer.The logic 3040 will then instruct the LED controller to turn off the atleast one LED 3020 if no motion is detected before the timer reaches apredetermined threshold.

The unit can be controlled by any type of input signal that can beleveraged by the logic 3040 to manipulate operation of the LEDs 3020.Thus, the input component can be a radio frequency (RF) receiver thatcan obtain an RF signal communicated from an RF transmitter (not shown)that can be utilized by the logic 3050 to control operation of the LEDs3020. According to this example, the RF signal can be deciphered by theinput component to effectuate switching the LEDs 3020 to an on or offstate, changing a light color or a light intensity provided by the LEDs3020, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, the input componentcan be one or more sensors that monitor a condition, and monitoredinformation yielded by such sensor(s) can be utilized to effectuateadjustments associated with the LEDs 3020.

It is to be appreciated that any type of sensor(s) can be utilized inconnection with the claimed subject matter instead of or in conjunctionwith a motion sensor. For example, the sensor(s) can be one or more ofinfrared sensors, light sensors, proximity sensors, acoustic sensors,motion sensors, carbon monoxide and/or smoke detectors, thermal sensors,electromagnetic sensors, mechanical sensors, chemical sensors, and thelike. According to another example, the input component can be aconnector, port, etc. that couples to a disparate device, sensor, etc.to receive the input signal.

It is also appreciated that any combination of sensors can be utilizedin connection with the claimed subject matter. The illustratedembodiment is a combination of a light sensor that will conserve batterylife by only allowing the LEDs to turn on when there is a low level oflight in the environment. When there is enough light in the environment,the motion sensor will control the LEDs to turn on when motion isdetected. An alternate embodiment includes an RF receiver and motionsensor in the light with an RF transmitter remote that can overridemotion sensor control of the unit when a user desires that it is turnedon for an extended period of time or controlled remotely rather than bymotion. In one embodiment, the sensor light 3100 is designed with amotion sensor and an RF receiver. One or more sensor lights 3100 arecontrolled by either the motion sensors on the lights, by an RF remotecontrol or alternately by an RF wall switch. The RF control element isused to turn on and off both sensor lights. In an alternate embodiment,the remote control element contains a motion sensor and an RFtransmitter to send the on and off command to the two sensor lights. Inthe alternate embodiment, the sensor lights have an RF receiver but mayor may not have a motion sensor.

Another alternative embodiment includes one or more units used as stairlights or path lights with an RF receiver as the input componentcontrolling the light source and an RF transmitter remote combined witha motion sensor. An example use of this embodiment is a driveway sensorthat detects a car triggering the motion sensor to send an RFtransmission to the light when the car enters the driveway. The lightcan stay on for some user set amount of time, then auto shutoff.

The combination of sensors can also be used to communicate between unitsand network the units together. For example, the units are a combinationof RF transceiver and motion sensor. If one unit detects motion, itsends out a message to all units via its RF transmitter to turn all ofthe units on. Units can also receive a message via its RF receiver andretransmit it via its RF transmitter to extend the range of lightsbeyond what is within the range of the initial unit that detectedmotion. The triggering method can be any method sensor described and thesending of signals from one unit to another can be RF/IF, wired orwireless network or wired with any electrical control mechanism betweenlights.

In an alternate embodiment, a group of lights that have a light sensorand are controlled by RF/IR are used as path lighting. When the lightsensor detects low light levels, the light will be turned on to a glowlevel marking the path. When the user wants to illuminate the path,expecting visitors for example, an RF remote control or RF wall switchcan be used to transmit a signal or control message to the group oflights to turn on to a bright level. The user can also transmit a signalor control message to the light to return them to glow mode or turn themoff. An auto shutoff feature can also be included such that after someperiod of time at the bright level, the light will automatically returnto glow mode.

In another embodiment, the stair lights or path lights are used foremergency purposes to light up a walkway when there is a power outage.The stair light or path light has a light source and RF receiver tocontrol the light source. A circuit that can detect when AC power is notpresent is combined with an RF transmitter in a housing. The RFtransmitter unit can be plugged into an electrical socket, hardwired toan AC wall switch prior to the switch, wired directly in at the breakerbox or at any point in a power distribution system that a user may wantto detect a drop out in power. Upon detecting the loss of AC power atthe monitor point, a signal is sent to the lights turning them on,emergency lighting is provided and the path to a safe area isilluminated. In an alternate embodiment, the RF transmitter unit isconnected to the residential or commercial building security or safetysystem. If an alarm is present in the security or safety system thatrequires emergency lighting, the system will send a command to thelights to turn them on.

In another embodiment, the LEDs or OLEDs are designed into a strip thatcan be attached to the floor, wall, ceiling, sidewalk, pathway,stairwell or any known walkway or structure. The strip can be attachedwith screws, nails, adhesive, suction cups, magnets, VELCRO or in anyother known way. The strip can be battery powered and have a motionsensor built in such that the light strip will glow all of the timeuntil motion is detected, then turn on brighter. After some period oftime, the light strip will go back into glow mode. The light strip canalso contain a light sensor such that the light will only turn on if thelevel of ambient light drops below a certain level. In an alternateembodiment, the light strip contains an RF receiver and is controlled byan RF transmitter remote control. It is to be appreciated that any typeof sensor(s) can be utilized in connection with the claimed subjectmatter instead of or in conjunction with a motion sensor. It should beunderstood that any type of wireless power defined can be used inconnection with the light strip.

An example application is for use in a hallway to light up a path forchildren during the night to the bathroom. It should also be understoodthat the strip can be designed such that multiple separate light stripscan light up to illuminate an entire path if one strip is activated. Inthis case, the light strips would need to be networked together and thefirst activated light strip would need to communicate to the otherstrips to turn on to a bright level. Another example application is thatthe light strips have a smoke detector or thermal sensor integrated orreceive a message from an alarm system to light up a path to a fireexit. Note that in addition to illumination, the light strips may alsouse different color LEDs to identify different paths. For example, apath of green LEDs leads to a bathroom and a path of red LEDs leads to afire exit. It is to be appreciated that the LED strip can be made ofmulticolor LEDs such that a user can select the color upon installation.In the previous example, there are two identical light strips and thereis a switch on the light strip allowing the user to set the light stripto be a green light strip if the switch is in one position or a redlight switch if the switch is in another position.

An alternate application is for a media room environment in which eitherstair lights or strip lights are used and are controlled by RF/IR. Theuser can allow the lights to glow when the television is on and use theremote to turn on the lights to a brighter level when desired.Alternatively, in addition to RF/IR control directly, the lights canalso respond to controls from the television or media system remotecontrol such that when the television is off, the recording is paused orstopped. Upon any other detectable state of the media system, the lightswill turn on to a bright light but under normal television viewingconditions, the lights will be in glow mode. It is appreciated, that themedia room lighting system can be programmed in any manner it is capableof in response to any detectable state of the media system. It is alsoto be appreciated that instead of for illumination, the lighting systemcan be constructed of any color lights possible and the control systemcan set the color of light. For example, the user can hold down a buttonon the remote and the lighting system will cycle through the possiblelight colors until the light is the desired colored at which time theuser releases the button on the remote leaving the lighting system atthe desired color of light.

The previously mentioned lights and lighting systems can be grouped intokits to meet specific user applications. A fall prevention kit can beconstructed of any mix of stair lights, step lights, night lights, pathlights or strip lights in a kit to allow installation in a residentialor commercial building to prevent falls. The target market for such akit is the elderly, but it can be used by any consumer or businessmotivated to prevent injurious falls. FIG. 33 shows the components of anexample fall prevention kit 3300. An example fall prevention kitincludes six motion sensor stair lights 3310, two RF controlled stairlights 3320 with one RF remote control 3330 and associated mountinghardware.

A deck lighting kit can also be constructed or assembled. This kitallows a user to install battery powered, RF controlled lights to theposts of the deck such that installation included no AC wiring. Anexample of this kit would include eight RF controlled stair lights withone RF wall mount switch and associated mounting hardware.

A power outage kit can also be sold. The power outage kit can includeall of the lights, batteries and temporary or permanent installationhardware to allow the user to install battery powered lightingthroughout their house or business in the event that there is a poweroutage. An example power outage kit would include a plastic casecontaining sixteen motion sensor stair lights with batteries that haveadhesive on the back to allow it to stick to a wall. In the event of apower outage, the user can quickly walk through their house, forexample, and install the lights by remove the backing to the adhesiveand attaching the light to the wall.

FIG. 34 shows an example use scenario 3400 of the stair light 3410 on adeck at the top stair to the deck. The motion sensor in the stair lightis designed with a wide angle of motion detection such that it willtrigger the stair light to turn on when motion is detected on the stairsor on the deck. The stair light also contains a light sensor such thatduring the day it is turned off but through the night, in low levels oflight, the stair light will glow at a low level. This is a key toproviding a marker light such that there is enough light for a user toidentify the stairs or the edge of the deck where the stairs start. Asthe user approaches the stairs, the stair light will turn onilluminating to a brighter level enough for the user to see their way.The glow mode 3420 provides additional safety to mark the location ofthe stairs and edge of the deck and when the stair light turns on to thebrighter level as in 3410, the stair light provides additionalillumination of the area for the user to see their way.

FIG. 35 shows an example use scenario 3500 of three RF controlled stairlights 3510 mounted on a stair way and an RF remote control 3520 thatcan be handheld, mounted to the wall by bracket or mounted on two wallscrews or nails that controls the three stair lights. An RF remotecontrol with an on button and an off button is shown. When the on buttonis pushed, a message containing timing and synchronization information,a command and a unique identifier (channel number, unit address numberetc.) is transmitted via the RF transmitter circuit. The messagetransmission can be modulated in any manner known in RF communication(on off keyed, OOK, amplitude shift keyed ASK etc.). That message isreceived by all three RF controlled stair lights. The stair lightsreceive the message, demodulate it, process the command and uniqueidentifier and either ignore the command or change state appropriately.In this use scenario, the two commands are turn on and turn off. Theunique identifier is hard coded into the remote control and the threestair lights such that the remote controls the three stair lights. Theunique identifier can be set by dip switch, rotary switch etc on boththe remote control and stair lights. The three stair lights can alsolearn the unique identifier of the remote control and thereafter respondto that unique identifier. For example, after the batteries are insertedinto the stair lights, the unique identifier in the first messagereceived will be stored in the stair lights. Thereafter, that remotecontrol will control those stair lights.

The use scenario can be expanded such that there is no remote controlbut rather only the three stair lights 3510. In this use scenario, thestair lights contain a motion sensor, RF transmitter and RF receiver.FIG. 35 shows three stair lights. The stair lights can be controlledeither by motion detection or by a message received by the RF receiver.Thus, in this use scenario, if motion is detected by one stair light, itcan turn its light on and also send a message by it RF transmitter toturn on the other stair lights. The other stair lights will receive amessage to turn on by their RF receivers and will subsequently turn on.They can also then send a message by their RF transmitters to turn onother stair lights. This message will also contain an indication thatthis is a retransmitted message (not from the original source of themotion detection). Thus, a single motion detection by one stair lightcan turn on many stair lights even those not within range of its RFtransmitter. When the originating stair light reaches its auto shutofftime, it can turn its light off and send a message by its RF transmitterto turn off the other stair lights. There are many use scenarios thatcan result from this function. For example, the stair light can bemounted to a stake as in FIG. 32 to become a path light. Path lights canbe installed throughout a large garden or backyard such that motiondetection by any of the path lights will result in a flood of messagesthrough the network of path lights to ultimately turn any on any pathlight within range of any other path light. As another example, severalpath lights can be installed along a long driveway perhaps severalhundred yards long. The path lights can glow and when any path lightdetects motion, it can send a message to turn on or off the other pathlights that will be flooded through the network of path lights. Inanother example, the stair light can be used and mounted on theperimeter of a large building every 25 feet. If motion is detected atany point around the perimeter of the building all of the stair lightswill be illuminated. It is to be appreciated that the scope of messagesand how the networking of the lights works can be as sophisticated orsimple as is required by the application. It is also to be appreciatedthat any control mentioned herein can be built into messages and betransmitted through the network of lights.

In alternate embodiments, a network of wireless lighting modules may becreated by embedding an RF transceiver with intelligence(microcontroller, microprocessor, integrated circuit etc.) in thewireless lighting modules and using a communication protocol between themodules to control a plurality of modules to accomplish a task, such asdescribed herein. In embodiments there may be other control sourcesdesigned to communicate through the network, such as wall switches, keyfobs, remote controls, RF adapters, and the like, that can plug into acomputer and be controlled by a software program, etc. that may alsoconnect to the network and control wireless lighting modules in thenetwork. By way of an example, the wireless lighting modules may be acombination of RF transceiver and motion sensor. For instance, if onemodule detects motion, it may send out a message to other modules viaits RF transmitter to turn other modules on to a specific brightnesslevel. Modules may also receive a message via its RF receiver andretransmit the message via its RF transmitter to extend the range oflights beyond what is within the range of the initial unit that detectedmotion. In an alternate example, the control source may be one or moreremote controls with a push button that is pressed to turn the lights onand a push button that may be pressed to turn the lights off with aunique identifier that can be set that may select the wireless lightingmodules to control, and the like. When either button is pressed, acommand may be transmitted by a remote control to the network to controlone or more modules that receive it. The command may also be propagatedthrough the network of modules via the RF transceiver in each module tocontrol a portion of or the entire network of wireless lighting modules.It is to be appreciated that the modules may use other types ofnetworking protocol (e.g. routing, flooding, etc.) that may effectivelydistribute state information through the network of wireless lightingmodules. In embodiments, when an auto shutoff timer of the originatingwireless lighting module times out, it may send an off command which mayalso be propagated through the network of light modules to shut them alloff. The triggering method may utilize any sensor described herein, thetype of control of the wireless lighting module may be any controlmentioned herein, and the sending of signals from one wireless lightmodule to another may be RF/IR, wired or wireless network (e.g. WIFI,ZIGBEE, X10 etc.) wired with an electrical control mechanism betweenwireless lighting modules that can be defined, and the like. It is alsoto be appreciated that any standard or proprietary protocol (e.g.networking protocols such as IP, TCP, UDP, routing protocols etc. andphysical layer protocols such as WIFI, Ethernet, ZIGBEE etc.) may beused to communicate between wireless lighting modules. In embodiments, aunique identifier of a wireless lighting module may be the identifierused in a standard protocol (e.g. IP address, Ethernet or WIFI MACaddress, PAN ID, House Code, etc.), a proprietary protocol (set at dipswitch, identifier programmed into the wireless lighting module etc.),and the like. It is to be appreciated that the network of lights in thelighting installation may be comprised of wireless lighting modules,wireless light bulbs, a lighting fixture, any mix of these, and thelike.

In addition to wireless lighting modules, a repeater device that cancommunicate with the network of wireless lighting modules may bedesigned to extend the range of the network. This device may or may nothave a light source. The repeater device may be installed in locationswith a primary function of extending the range of the network ofwireless lighting modules or filling in areas with poor or no coverage.The repeater device may be powered by any form of wireless powermentioned herein or may be designed to connect to AC power. The repeaterdevice may also contain an RF/IR, wired or wireless network (WIFI,ZIGBEE, X10 etc.) or wired with any electrical control mechanism that itrequires to be communicate with wireless lighting modules. It is also tobe appreciated that any standard or proprietary protocol (e.g.networking protocols such as IP, TCP, UDP, routing protocols etc. andphysical layer protocols such as WIFI, Ethernet, ZIGBEE etc.) may beused to communicate between repeaters and wireless lighting modules. Therepeater device may communicate with wireless lighting modules, wirelesslight bulbs or any mix of the two.

In another illustrative embodiment, a version of the wireless lightingmodule may target wireless remote controlled LED spotlight applications.With reference to FIG. 36, illustrated is a perspective view of anembodiment of an RF Spotlight 3600. In the illustrated embodiment, theRF Spotlight 3600 includes a housing 3610, an adjustable base 3620, aplurality of LEDs 3630, an RF receiver 3640, logic 3650, a power source3660, a motion sensor 3670 and RF transmitter 3680. In the illustratedembodiment, the RF Spotlight 3600 includes 1 LED. In alternativeembodiments, the RF Spotlight may include more LEDs 3630 to providegreater illumination or fewer LEDs 3630 to use less power. It is to beappreciated that the RF Spotlight 3600 can include any number of LEDs3630, and the LEDs 3630 may be positioned at substantially any locationswith respect to one another as well as in comparison to the housing3610. In the illustrated embodiment the LED is the light source and thehousing may be articulated using the adjustable base 3620 then locked inplace to direct the light output to illuminate a dark area where a userneeds additional light, to direct the motion sensor toward the areawhere motion needs to be detected or both. Alternate embodiments maypoint the housing or LEDs in any direction that may be required for theapplication. In the illustrated embodiment, the RF Spotlight 3600illuminates an area of approximately three hundred fifty square feet.Alternate embodiments may include but are not limited to any known lightsource including LEDs, compact fluorescent, incandescent bulbs, and thelike, and can illuminate any size area required by the application.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the RF Spotlight 3600 includes apower source 3660, such as a battery. In the illustrated embodiment, thespotlight is powered by 3 D batteries. It should be understood that inalternate embodiments any number and type of known batteries may beused, including without limitation all known alkaline and nickel-cadmiumbatteries, depending on size and power requirements. According toanother example, the power source may be any number and type ofrechargeable batteries and/or non-rechargeable batteries. Pursuant to afurther illustration, the power source may be a combination of a solarcell and one or more batteries (e.g., rechargeable, non-rechargeable,and the like). Thus, for instance, a battery can supplement the powersupplied by the solar cell (or vice versa) and/or the solar cell canrecharge a battery. In some embodiments of the foregoing arrangement, asolar cell may be diode or-ed with a battery and the battery may benon-rechargeable.

In embodiments, the power source 3660 may supply power to the RFSpotlight 3600 to enable installing, moving, replacing, etc. the unit atsubstantially any indoor or outdoor location while mitigating the needfor expensive and time consuming wiring and/or utilization ofaesthetically unpleasing and potentially inconvenient cords commonlyassociated with conventional lighting.

In alternate embodiments the power source may include a fuel cell, suchas and without limitation a hydrogen fuel cell, a reformed methanol fuelcell, or the like. In alternate embodiments, the power source mayinclude a capacitor, array of capacitor, super capacitor, and the like,to store energy to be used as a power source similar to a battery. Itshould be understood that any type of or combination of wireless powersources described herein may be used in connection with the RF Spotlight3600.

The illustrated embodiment may include an RF receiver 3640 and motionsensor 3670 in the RF Spotlight 3600 with an RF transmitter 3680 remotethat may override motion sensor control of the unit when a user desiresthat it is turned on for an extended period of time or controlledremotely rather than by motion. In the illustrated embodiment, there isalso a light sensor that may disable the RF Spotlight 3600 during theday time. In one alternate embodiment, there may be no light sensor andthe RF Spotlight 3600 contains only an RF receiver 3640 and motionsensor 3670. In another alternate embodiment, there may be no motionsensor and the RF Spotlight 3600 contains only an RF receiver 3640. Inanother alternate embodiment, there may be no RF receiver 3640 and theSpotlight only contains a motion sensor and may contain a light sensor.It is to be appreciated that any combination of wireless controlmentioned herein may be used in conjunction with the RF Spotlight 3600.

The illustrated embodiment includes an RF transmitter 3680. The RFtransmitter 3680 may send commands to the RF Spotlight 3600 via the RFreceiver 3640 to control the logic 3650 to control the light source toturn it on or off, modify the brightness, modify the color or modify anyother characteristic of the light source. In the illustrated embodiment,the user may select a channel number on the RF transmitter 3680 and RFSpotlight 3600 through a dip switch on each unit. It is to beappreciated that the channel number may be set by any method mentionedherein. When a button is pushed on the RF transmitter 3680, a messagecontaining the command and channel number may be sent. Any RF Spotlight3600 within range of the RF transmitter 3680 may receive and respond tothe command. In alternate embodiments, the RF Spotlight 3600 may alsocontain an RF transmitter circuit designed in the spotlight such that anetwork of RF Spotlights can be created allowing spotlights to becontrolled beyond the range of the originating RF transmitter.

In another illustrative embodiment, a version of the wireless lightingmodule may target wireless remote controlled LED ceiling lightapplications. With reference to FIG. 37, illustrated is a perspectiveview of an embodiment of an RF Ceiling Light 3700. In the illustratedembodiment, the RF Ceiling Light 3700 may include a housing 3710, amounting bracket 3720, a plurality of LEDs 3730, an RF receiver 3740,logic 3750, a power source 3760, a motion sensor 3770, RF transmitter3780, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the RF Ceiling Light3700 may include an LED. In alternative embodiments, the RF CeilingLight 3700 may include more LEDs 3730 to provide greater illumination orfewer LEDs 3730 to use less power. It is to be appreciated that the RFCeiling Light 3700 may include any number of LEDs 3730, and the LEDs3730 may be positioned at substantially any locations with respect toone another as well as in comparison to the housing 3710. In theillustrated embodiment the LED is the light source and the housing 3710may be removed from a mounting bracket 3720, to replace the batteriesfor example, then locked back in place for normal operation. It is to beappreciated that there may or may not be a mounting bracket 3720 andthat the housing 3710 may be mounted directly to the mounting surface(ceiling, wall etc.) with any mounting mechanism mentioned herein. Inalternate embodiments, the mounting bracket 3720 may be an articulatingbracket that allows the ceiling light to be mounted to the bracket whichmay be mounted to the mounting surface. The bracket and thus the ceilinglight may be pointed in any direction the user may require to point theLEDs 3730, point the motion sensor 3770 in the desired direction todetect motion or to point the unit in any desired direction as requiredby the application. In the illustrated embodiment, the RF Ceiling Light3700 illuminates an area of approximately ninety square feet. Alternateembodiments may include but are not limited to any known light sourceincluding LEDs, compact fluorescent, incandescent bulbs, and the like,and may illuminate any size area required by the application.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the RF Ceiling Light 3700includes a power source 3760, such as a battery. In the illustratedembodiment, the ceiling light is powered by 4 C batteries. It is to beappreciated that in alternate embodiments any number and type of knownbatteries may be used, including without limitation all known alkalineand nickel-cadmium batteries, depending on size and power requirements.According to another example, the power source may be any number andtype of rechargeable batteries and/or non-rechargeable batteries.Pursuant to a further illustration, the power source may be acombination of a solar cell and one or more batteries (e.g.,rechargeable, non-rechargeable, . . . ). Thus, for instance, a batterymay supplement the power supplied by the solar cell (or vice versa)and/or the solar cell can recharge a battery. In some embodiments of theforegoing arrangement, a solar cell may be diode or-ed with a batteryand the battery may be non-rechargeable.

In embodiments, the battery 3760 may supply power to the RF CeilingLight 3700 to enable installing, moving, replacing, etc. the unit atsubstantially any indoor or outdoor location while mitigating the needfor expensive and time consuming wiring and/or utilization ofaesthetically unpleasing and potentially inconvenient cords commonlyassociated with conventional lighting.

In alternate embodiments the power source may include a fuel cell, suchas and without limitation a hydrogen fuel cell, a reformed methanol fuelcell, or the like. In alternate embodiments, the power source mayinclude a capacitor, array of capacitor, super capacitors, and the like,to store energy to be used as a power source similar to a battery. Itshould be understood that any type of wireless power described hereinmay be used in connection with the RF Ceiling Light 3700.

The illustrated embodiment may include an RF receiver 3740 and motionsensor 3770 in the RF Ceiling Light 3700 with an RF transmitter 3780remote that may override motion sensor control of the unit when a userdesires that it is turned on for an extended period of time, controlledremotely rather than by motion, and the like. In the illustratedembodiment, there may also be a light sensor that disables the RFCeiling Light 3700 during the day time. In one alternate embodiment,there may be no light sensor and the RF Ceiling Light 3700 may containonly an RF receiver 3740 and motion sensor 3770. In another alternateembodiment, there may be no motion sensor and the RF Spotlight 3700 maycontain only an RF receiver 3740. In another alternate embodiment, theremay be no RF receiver 3740 and the ceiling light may only contain amotion sensor and may or may not contain a light sensor. It is to beappreciated that any combination of wireless control mentioned hereinmay be used in conjunction with the RF Ceiling Light 3700.

The illustrated embodiment may include an RF transmitter 3780. The RFtransmitter 3780 may send commands to the RF Ceiling Light 3700 via theRF receiver 3740 to control the logic 3750 to control the light sourceto turn it on or off, modify the brightness, modify the color, or modifyany other characteristic of the light source. In the illustratedembodiment, the user may select a channel number on the RF Transmitter3780 and RF Ceiling Light 3700 through a dip switch on each unit. It isto be appreciated that the channel number may be set by any methodmentioned herein.

Alternate embodiments of the RF Ceiling Light may be designed with adifferent housing that allows installation in a suspended grid ceilingsystem in locations typically occupied by 1×1, 2×2, 2×4 size ceilingtiles or the like. In this embodiment, the housing may contain any ofthe features of the RF Ceiling Light, but is designed in a ceiling tileform factor. In alternate embodiments, the housing may be designed inany form factor to be used in place of a fluorescent fixture such as butnot limited to high bay fixtures, lay-in fixtures, strip fixtures, undercabinet fixtures, wall mount fixtures, wrap around fixtures, and thelike. In embodiments, the wireless lighting module may be designed tofit into place in the socket of the fixture (i.e. as a bulb replacement)or the entire wireless lighting module fixture may be the same formfactor as the fluorescent fixtures listed and be applicable for use insimilar applications. The ceiling light may contain non-rechargeable orrechargeable batteries. In alternate embodiments, the wireless lightingmodule may have any type of connector on it that allows for charging byconnection to a mating connector and that provides the AC or DC powersource. In some embodiments the ceiling light may also allow aconnection to an AC input and may contain the required circuitry toconvert AC to DC for the light source and wireless control. In someembodiments, the RF Ceiling Light may replace a fluorescent light thatis connected to a resistive, reactive, or electronic ballast in whichcase the ceiling light may also contain circuitry to take the output ofthe ballast and convert it to DC power suitable for the light source andwireless control. By way of an example, a version of the RF CeilingLight containing an RF receiver and a motion sensor may be designed intoa housing that fits into a 2×2 ceiling grid. The RF Ceiling Light mayalso contain rechargeable batteries and an AC-to-DC converter andballast conditioning circuit to connect to a ballast in the case wherethe RF Ceiling Light is a retrofit of a standard fluorescent fixture.There may also be intelligence (microcontroller, microprocessor,integrated circuit etc.) inside the RF Ceiling Light such that is can beprogrammed to draw power from the AC input, from the rechargeablebatteries, or both. The intelligence may use a real time clock and beprogrammed to use the AC input and charge the batteries during off peakbilling times and use battery power during on peak billing times suchthat there is an overall cost savings in energy usage. The unit may beprogrammed for operation based on a Time of Use (TOU) price plan fromthe energy company. The rechargeable battery capacity may or may not beenough to power the light source for the entire duration of the on peakbilling time. In such a case, the intelligence may be able to switchbetween or control a sharing of the load between battery power and ACinput power based on a measurement of battery capacity level, power usefrom the embedded batteries and from the AC input or any othermeasurable parameter that allow for an optimization for cost or minimizepower consumption of the combined use of embedded batteries and AC inputpower.

In an alternate embodiment the RF Ceiling Light 3700 may include an RFtransmitter built into the ceiling light such that there is both an RFtransmitter and RF receiver. In addition, there may or may not be amotion sensor, light sensor, or any other form of wireless control orsensor mentioned herein. A network of RF Ceiling Lights 3700 may becreated by embedding an RF transceiver with intelligence(microcontroller, microprocessor, integrated circuit etc.) in theceiling light and using a communication protocol between the ceilinglights to control any size group of ceiling lights to accomplish anytask described herein. Other control sources designed to communicatethrough the network such as wall switches, key fobs, remote controls, RFadapters, and the like, that can plug into a computer and be controlledby a software program, etc. may also connect to the network and controlthe ceiling lights in the network. By way of an example, if one ceilinglight detects motion, it may send out a message to all ceiling lightsvia its RF transmitter to turn all of the ceiling lights on to aspecific brightness level. When that ceiling light reaches an autoshutoff time, it may then send out a message to one or more ceilinglights via its RF transmitter to turn one or more of the ceiling lightsoff, set them to a glow, set them to a low level of light, and the like.Ceiling lights may also receive a message via its RF receiver andretransmit it via its RF transmitter to extend the range of lightsbeyond what is within the range of the initial unit that detectedmotion. In an alternate example, the control source may be one or moreremote controls with a push button that is pressed to turn the lights onand a push button, that is pressed to turn the lights off with a uniqueidentifier that can be set that may select the ceiling light or lightsto control, and the like. When either button is pressed, a command maybe transmitted by a remote control to the network to control the ceilinglights that receive it. The command may also be propagated through thenetwork of ceiling lights via the RF transceiver in each ceiling lightto control a portion of or the entire network of ceiling lights. It isto be appreciated that the ceiling lights may use any type of networkingprotocol (e.g. routing, flooding etc.) that may effectively distributestate information through the network. In embodiments, when an autoshutoff timer of the originating ceiling light times out, it may send anoff command which is also propagated through the network of ceilinglights to shut one or more ceiling lights off. In embodiments, thetriggering method may utilize any sensor described herein, the type ofcontrol of the ceiling lights may be any control mentioned herein, andthe sending of signals from one ceiling light to another may be RF/IR,wired or wireless network (WIFI, ZIGBEE, X10 etc.) or wired with anyelectrical control mechanism between ceiling lights that can be defined.It is also to be appreciated that any standard or proprietary protocol(e.g. networking protocols such as IP, TCP, UDP, routing protocols etc.and physical layer protocols such as WIFI, Ethernet, ZIGBEE etc.) may beused to communicate between ceiling lights.

By way of an example, the ceiling lights may contain any of thefunctionality described herein, but also contain a ZIGBEE transceiverand the networking stack necessary to create a ZIGBEE mesh network ofceiling lights. In this case, the RF transmitter and receiver may becompliant to ZIGBEE standards. The networking stack allows for thecreation of a mesh network that provides all of the routing andforwarding capabilities found in a typical ZIGBEE network. In addition,a ceiling light may act as a ZIGBEE access point allowing ZIGBEEcompliant wireless sensors and devices to connect to the mesh network ofceiling lights. Thus a user may install lighting and a ZIGBEE networkwith the installation of the ZIGBEE capable ceiling lights. A ZIGBEEcompliant adapter that can be plugged into a computer, for example intoa USB port of a computer directly or by cable, may allow a softwareprogram running on the computer to program functionality into, control,or gather status from the network of ceiling lights. Intelligencedesigned into the ceiling light (microcontroller, microprocessor,integrated circuit etc.) and use of the ZIGBEE communication protocolbetween the ceiling lights and with the ZIGBEE adapter connected to thecomputer may allow software to communicate with the ceiling lights toimplement the desired functionality. Thus, the intelligent control maybe distributed (e.g. each ceiling light may contain a microprocessorrunning specific software to implement functionality) or centralized(e.g. software running on the computer can contain most of theintelligence and can control the ceiling lights as required). It is tobe appreciated that the ZIGBEE capable ceiling lights may beindividually addressable such that the control may be from a singleceiling light up to the entire network of ceiling lights. In addition,if ZIGBEE compliant wireless devices or sensors are also installed, thesoftware program may interface with those devices and provide additionalfunctionality independent of the lighting installation. It is to beappreciated that any wireless lighting module or wireless light bulb maybe designed to provide this functionality. In alternate embodiments, theZIGBEE functionality may be replaced by WIFI, Z-Wave, BLUETOOTH, or anyother network that may be useful in a deployment in addition to thelighting installation.

In other embodiments, the wireless lighting module may containrechargeable batteries such that the module may be recharged byconnecting the module to an AC power source such as plugging the moduleinto a recharging base, plugging the module into an AC outlet directly,connecting the module to an AC outlet by cable, plugging a walltransformer to the wall then connecting a DC jack to the wirelesslighting module, and the like. In some embodiments, the wirelesslighting module may contain circuitry to convert the AC power source toDC and charge the batteries and may or may not power the light sourcewhile charging the batteries. In some embodiments, the wireless lightingmodule may be connected to a DC power source for recharging and as suchwould have circuitry to make use of the DC power source for rechargingthe batteries and may or may not power the light source while chargingthe batteries. By way of an example, an RF ceiling light containingrechargeable batteries may be mounted to the ceiling or wall. When thecapacity of the rechargeable batteries dips below a level that the lightoutput is no longer acceptable, a user may unscrew the RF ceiling lightand connect it to a charging base. The charging base may be comprised ofthe circuitry necessary to charge the batteries to capacity as well asthe electrical and mechanical configuration necessary to electricallyand physically connect a ceiling light to the base. When batterycharging is complete, the user may remove the ceiling light from thecharging base and return it to the ceiling or wall. In another example,a motion spotlight containing rechargeable batteries that contains a 2.5mm jack and accepts a DC input can be connected to a wall transformerwith a 2.5 mm jack. The DC output of the wall transformer falls withinthe range of the DC input to charge the batteries. The motion spotlightmay contain circuitry required to recharge the batteries and may or maynot power the motion spotlight during the charging of the batteries.

In alternate embodiments, the wireless lighting module may have any typeof connector on it that allows for charging by connection to a matingconnector and that provides the AC or DC power source. In an alternateembodiment, the module may have a USB connector on it that allows forcharging by connection to a USB port. In other alternate embodiments anyform of wireless power mentioned herein may be used for recharging awireless lighting module. By way of an example, one or more externalthin film solar cells may be connected to the wireless lighting moduleby cable and provide a DC input to recharge the batteries. It is to beappreciated that any combination of charging approaches may be includedin the same wireless lighting module.

In embodiments of a wireless lighting module, there may be a USBconnector on the wireless lighting module. The USB connector may also beused as a communication interface to program the wireless lightingmodule. The wireless lighting module may attach to a computer via USBdirectly or over a USB cable to connect the module for programming. Inother embodiments, different interface types on the module such asEthernet, IEEE 1394 Fire Wire, Serial Port, or the like, may be used toconnect to a computer directly or by cable to program the module. Inanother example, a programming adapter connected to the computer thatthe wireless lighting module can plug into or connect to electricallyand mechanically in any known manner may serve as the interface toprogram the module. In other embodiments, an RF or IR adapter that canplug into a computer directly or via a cable using any of the interfacetypes listed may send programming information to one or more wirelesslighting modules containing an RF or IR receiver or transceiver toprogram the wireless lighting modules. In some embodiments, an RF or IRinterface to the wireless lighting module may be provided by anyintelligent device (e.g. remote control, keypad, PDA, custom circuitdesign, etc.) with the RF or IR interface, and the ability tocommunicate with the wireless lighting modules may be used to programthe wireless lighting modules. A software program or other device thatallows a user to set the state of the module based on timer or time ofday, auto shut-off times, color temperature, light strength (glowlevels, low light levels, dimming/fading functions), motion sensitivityand listening on times, light sensitivity, level of ambient lightcontrolled by a photocell, energy usage control to control light outputbased on a desired amount of energy usage over time, network parameters(unique IDs, network IDs, multicast IDs, broadcast IDs, IP address,routing and forwarding information for the network, WIFI SSIDs, ZIGBEEPAN IDs and network IDs, X10 four bit house code, INSTEON address or thelike), sensor parameters (detection thresholds for setting the state ofthe module, timer and time of day settings for when the sensor is activeand the like), etc. may be used to connect to and program the state ofthe module. It is to be appreciated that the wireless lighting modulemay contain the intelligence necessary to implement the programmablefunctions.

In addition to controlling the lighting installation, the sensors andintelligence that are designed into wireless lighting modules andcommunication interface implemented in the wireless light modules mayallow the wireless lighting modules installed to also perform functionsin addition to lighting. This applies to any type of wireless lightingmodule mentioned herein. The embedded sensors and intelligence togetherwith the communication interface may allow a single wireless lightingmodule to implement functionality beyond just lighting. Multiplewireless lighting modules may form a sensor network to add usefulfunctions to a lighting installation where multiple wireless lightingmodules may be individually controlled or work as a network to implementone or more functions in addition to lighting. A software program orintelligent device may allow a user to gather status from a sensor inthe wireless lighting module or from intelligence designed into thewireless lighting module over the communication interface such as butnot limited to temperature, ambient light levels, battery capacitylevels, energy usage statistics, on and off time records, sensordetection data and statistics (motion detections per some unit of time,switch actuation information to generate an alarm, smoke detector alarmsignals etc.), network usage statistics, information that can begathered from any sensor or intelligence built into the wirelesslighting module, and the like. A software program or intelligent devicemay also receive a stream of data collected by a sensor of the wirelesslighting module over the communication interface such as but not limitedto audio from a microphone, a video stream from a camera, pictures froma digital camera, RFID tag read information (i.e. an RFID tag reader),etc. A software program or intelligent device may also control a deviceinside the wireless lighting module over the communication interface toimplement any function such as but not limited to a speaker to makeannouncements or generate sound, a horn to generate alarms, enable acircuit to energize or de-energize a relay or other switch control, turnon or off a motor, etc.

An intelligent device (microcontroller, microprocessor, integratedcircuit etc.) inside the wireless lighting module may also bereprogrammed in the field. By way of an example, a microcontroller maycontain flash memory that can be reprogrammed. A new program may betransferred to the microcontroller, for example by an RF communicationinterface on the wireless lighting module. The new program may then beburned into flash memory by code running on the microcontroller andafter programming the wireless lighting module may have a new or addedfunction. In one embodiment, the RF with motion sensor stair light maycontain a microcontroller that responds to RF and motion inputs. Inembodiments, new microcode may be written for the RF with motion sensorstair light with an additional time of day clock that can be programmedto turn the light on or off at set times during the day. By programmingthe new microcode into flash memory on the RF with motion sensor stairlight, the time of day function may be added.

In one use case, the design may be a battery powered, RF controlledceiling light wireless lighting module that also contains a motionsensor. For instance, the ceiling lights may be installed in officespace, such as in 50 different locations, in addition the lighting thatis installed. Software running on a computer may allow a security guardto communicate with and receive status from the ceiling lights. When aceiling light detects motion, it may send a message to the securityguard's computer that motion has been detected and which module hasdetected the motion (i.e. the location where the motion is). Inembodiments, the security guard may receive a message or an alarm thatmotion has been detected in one of 50 locations which may provide anindication of a security issue or that someone is not where they aresupposed to be. In an alternate use case, the ceiling lights may recorda statistic called “number of motion detections since last read”. Asoftware application may read and compile that statistic from eachceiling light and determine how to most efficiently use the lighting bytime of day and usage profile. It may be used not only to controllighting but for occupancy studies in building management, used torecord the flow of traffic past a certain point, control the entirelighting installation beyond just the ceiling lights, and the like. Inone possible use, the sensor may not control lighting, but may be usedfor the information provided by the sensor in addition to the light thatis used for illumination.

In another use case, the design may be a recessed fixture RFID readerwireless lighting module. In embodiments, they may be installed inoffice space, such as in 50 different locations, in addition thelighting that is installed. Employees and guests may be issuedidentification, such as badges that are RFID tags or access cards thatcan be read by the RFID reader or the access card reader in the wirelesslighting module. In addition, RFID tags may be attached to assets foroperational efficiency and theft prevention. Software running on acomputer may receive the reads of the identifications badges or assettags and may provide an indication of current or last known locationwithin the building with respect to the location of the RFID readerwireless lighting modules. For example, this may provide the buildingmanager the ability to find, track or review the real time or historicalmovements of employees, guests or assets. In embodiments, thisfunctionality may be used for safety, security, operational efficiency,etc.

In another use case, a wireless lighting module targeting a porch lightapplication may have a speaker or alarm horn in it that allowsannouncements to be made (such as in the case of an intercom systemwhich could be two way if the units had a microphone on them) or alarmsounds to be generated in certain emergency situations. In an alternateuse case, the porch light may be designed with a microphone and speakerbuilt in. In embodiments, a user may push a button on an intercom boxinside of their house to talk or listen to a visitor through the porchlight microphone and speaker.

It is to be appreciated that the programmability, ability to gatherstatus or control the lighting, installation, and the like, may apply towireless lighting modules, wireless light bulbs, wireless lightingfixtures, and the like, or a combination thereof. By way of an example,a lighting installation that includes RF controlled wireless lightbulbs, RF ceiling lights, RF path lights and RF spotlights may beinstalled, and an intelligent lighting control software capable ofcommunicating with all of the lighting components for programming, maygather status and/or control the entire mix of components in thelighting installation.

Alternate embodiments of the wireless lighting module may be designedwith a housing that allows installation in a 2 or 4 pin plug-influorescent socket, or the like. In this embodiment, the housing maycontain any of the features of a wireless lighting module, and inembodiments, designed with a 2 or 4 pin plug that allows it to beinstalled in a plug in fluorescent light fixture. The wireless lightingmodule may physically couple with the fixture to support the wirelesslighting module, yet electrical current need not flow between thefixture and the wireless lighting module. In such a case, the wirelesslighting module may contain one or more wireless power sources thatprovides power to the module. In embodiments, the wireless lightingmodule may contain one or more wireless control sources. In someembodiments, the wireless lighting module may replace a fluorescentlight that is connected to a resistive, reactive, or electronic ballastin which case the wireless lighting module may also contain circuitry totake the output of the ballast and convert it to DC power suitable forthe light source and wireless control. The wireless lighting module mayalso contain non-rechargeable or rechargeable batteries. In the casewhere the module contains rechargeable batteries it may contain thecircuitry to charge the batteries. There may also be intelligence(microcontroller, microprocessor, integrated circuit etc.) inside thewireless lighting module such that it can be programmed to draw powerfrom the AC input, from the rechargeable batteries, or both. Inembodiments, the intelligence may use a real time clock and beprogrammed to use the AC input and charge the batteries during off peakbilling times and use the battery power during on peak billing timessuch that there is an overall cost savings in energy usage. The unit canbe programmed for operation based on a Time of Use (TOU) price plan fromthe energy company. The rechargeable battery capacity may or may not beenough to power the light source for the entire duration of the on peakbilling time. In such a case, the intelligence may be able to switchbetween battery power and AC input power based on a measurement ofbattery capacity level, power use from the embedded batteries and fromthe AC input or any other measurable parameter that allow for anoptimization for cost or power consumption of the combined use ofembedded batteries and AC input power.

In embodiments, the present invention may provide a poweruninterruptable led light with sensor-based control for transferring tointernal power in the event of an ac power disruption. As shown in FIG.38, a system may provide an uninterruptable lighting source, comprisingan uninterruptable lighting facility 3802 containing an LED lightingsource 3804, a remote control device 3808, and a control facility 3810for manipulating the light output of the LED lighting source, where theuninterruptable lighting facility provides the LED lighting source inresponse to a disruption of AC power 3812. A rechargeable energy storagedevice 3814 integrated with the uninterruptable lighting facility may becapable of supplying power to the uninterruptable lighting facilityindependent of the AC power, where the recharging may be providedinternal to the uninterruptable lighting facility at a time when the ACpower may be available. The uninterruptable lighting facility may bedisconnected from the AC power and used as a portable lighting device.The rechargeable energy storage device internal to the uninterruptablelighting facility may be a battery, fuel cell, super capacitor, and thelike. The uninterruptable lighting facility may provide the lightingsource based on information related to a switch setting sensing. Theswitch setting sensing may be through electrical impedance sensing. Theswitch setting sensing may be through a detection of AC power at a lightswitch. The detection may be provided through an RF transmitter embeddedinto the light switch that detects AC power prior to the switch anddetects the state of the switch. The information may be transmitted tothe uninterruptable lighting facility to switch over to the rechargeableenergy storage device integrated with the uninterruptable lightingfacility. The uninterruptable lighting facility may take the form of alight bulb that mounts into a standard lighting fixture. Theuninterruptable lighting facility takes the form of a lighting fixture,a retrofit light bulb, a retrofit lighting fixture, a fluorescent tube,a fluorescent lamp, and the like. The remote control device may be an RFreceiver for remote control signal input, IR receiver for remote controlsignal input, wireless communications receiver, a wirelesscommunications transceiver, a wireless network interface device, and thelike. The control facility may utilize a control input from an inputdevice, internal timer, internal clock, internal program, and the like,to manipulate the light output of the LED lighting source. The controlfacility may select a power source for the light source from between ACpower and the rechargeable energy storage device. The selection may becontrolled by an internal timer or time of day clock, a light sensorsensing the level of ambient light, a motion sensor sensing motion, astored command received from the remote control device, switches on thehousing, detection of power sequencing, commands received over the powerlines, and the like. The manipulating may be controlled by at least oneof an internal timer or time of day clock, by a light sensor sensing thelevel of ambient light, by a motion sensor sensing motion, by a commandreceived from the remote, by switches on the housing, by detecting powersequencing, by commands over the power lines, and the like. The controlfacility controls when the rechargeable energy storage device may becharging. In addition there may be an input device. The input device maybe a sensor device. The sensor device may sense IR, temperature, light,motion, acoustic, vibration, and the like. The sensor device may be anelectrical power condition sense device. The input device may be anenergy input device, including a solar cell, wind turbine, and the like.The manipulating may be switching on the light output, changing theillumination level of the light output, flashing the light output,changing the color content of the light output, and the like. The changeto the illumination level of the output to a lower level may consumeless power and provides longer battery life.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 39, a system may provide anuninterruptable lighting source, comprising an uninterruptable lightingfacility 3902 containing an LED lighting source 3904, and a controlfacility 3908 for manipulating the light output of the LED lightingsource. The uninterruptable lighting facility may provide the LEDlighting source in response to a disruption of AC power 3910, and areplaceable battery 3912 integrated with the uninterruptable lightingfacility may be capable of supplying power to the uninterruptablelighting facility independent of the AC power. The battery may be arechargeable battery. The battery may be a non-rechargeable battery.There may be a low battery indication on the uninterruptable lightingsource.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 40, a system may provide anuninterruptable lighting source, comprising an uninterruptable lightingfacility 4002 containing an LED lighting source 4004, an input device4008, an electrical switch condition sense device 4012, and a controlfacility 4010 for manipulating the light output of the LED lightingsource, where the uninterruptable lighting facility provides the LEDlighting source in response to a disruption of AC power 4014. Arechargeable energy storage device 4018 may be integrated with theuninterruptable lighting facility that may be capable of supplying powerto the uninterruptable lighting facility independent of the AC power,where the recharging may be provided internal to the uninterruptablelighting facility at a time when the AC power may be available. Theelectrical switch condition sense device may determine the position ofan electrical switch through electrical impedance sensing of theelectrical switch.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 41, a system may provide anuninterruptable lighting source, comprising an uninterruptable lightingfacility 4102 containing an LED lighting source 4104, a sensor device4108, and a control facility 4110 for manipulating the light output ofthe LED lighting source, where the uninterruptable lighting facilityprovides the LED lighting source in response to a disruption of AC power4112. A replaceable battery 4114 may be integrated with theuninterruptable lighting facility that is capable of supplying power tothe uninterruptable lighting facility independent of the AC power. Thesensor device may sense IR, temperature, light, motion, acoustic,vibration, and the like.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 42, a system may provide anuninterruptable lighting source, comprising an uninterruptable lightingfacility 4202 containing an LED lighting source 4204, a sensor device4208, and a control facility 4210 for manipulating the light output ofthe LED lighting source, where the uninterruptable lighting facility mayprovide the LED lighting source in response to a disruption of AC power4212. A rechargeable energy storage device 4214 may be integrated withthe uninterruptable lighting facility that is capable of supplying powerto the uninterruptable lighting facility independent of the AC power,where the recharging may be provided internal to the uninterruptablelighting facility at a time when the AC power may be available. Thesensor device may sense IR, temperature, light, motion, acoustic,vibration, and the like.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 43, a system may provide anuninterruptable lighting source, comprising an uninterruptable lightingfacility 4302 containing an LED lighting source 4304 and a controlfacility 4308 for manipulating the light output of the LED lightingsource, where the uninterruptable lighting facility may provide the LEDlighting source in response to a disruption of AC power 4310. Arechargeable energy storage device 4312 may be integrated with theuninterruptable lighting facility that is capable of supplying power tothe uninterruptable lighting facility independent of the AC power, wherethe recharging may be provided internal to the uninterruptable lightingfacility at a time when the AC power may be available. Theuninterruptable lighting facility may take the form of a light bulb thatmounts into a standard lighting fixture, a fluorescent tube that mountsinto a standard fluorescent lighting fixture, a fluorescent lamp thatmounts into a standard lighting fixture or a standard fluorescentlighting fixture, and the like. The uninterruptable lighting facilitymay be disconnected from the AC power and used as a portable lightingdevice. The rechargeable energy storage device internal to theuninterruptable lighting facility may be a battery, fuel cell, supercapacitor, and the like. In addition there may be an input device. Theinput device may be a sensor device. The sensor device may sense IR,temperature, light, motion, acoustic, vibration, and the like. Thesensor device may be an electrical power condition sense device. Theinput device may be an energy input device, including a solar cell, windturbine, and the like. The control facility may utilize a control inputfrom an input device, internal timer, internal clock, internal program,and the like, to manipulate the light output of the LED lighting source.The manipulating may be controlled by at least one of an internal timeror time of day clock, a light sensor sensing the level of ambient light,a motion sensor sensing motion, a command received from the remote,switches on the housing, detecting power sequencing, commands over thepower lines, and the like. The control facility may select a powersource for the light source from between AC power and the rechargeableenergy storage device. The selection may be controlled by an internaltimer or time of day clock. A light sensor may sense the level ofambient light, motion sensor sensing motion, from the remote controldevice, by switches on the housing, by detection of power sequencing, bycommands received over the power lines, and the like. The controlfacility may control when the rechargeable energy storage device may becharging. The manipulating may be switching on the light output,changing the illumination level of the light output, flashing the lightoutput, changing the color content of the light output, and the like.The change to the illumination level of the output to a lower level mayconsume less power and provides longer battery life.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 44, the present invention may providefor an externally controllable LED light. A method may be provided forpower management in a lighting source, comprising providing an LEDlighting facility 4402, where the LED lighting facility includes an LEDlighting source 4404, an external control device 4408 for communicatingbetween the LED light facility and an external control source 4418, aninternal control facility 4410, an energy storage device 4414, and aconnection to AC power 4412. Power usage may be shifted between the ACpower and the energy storage device as controlled by the internalcontrol facility and as a result of information received from theexternal control source. In addition there may be a remote control inputdevice. The energy storage device may be a rechargeable battery, fuelcell, super capacitor, and the like. The internal control device maycontrol a charging of the energy storage device from AC power. Theexternal control source may communicate an external control signal tothe external control device that provides light output, time-based, atrigger for a memory-based pre-programmed, a trigger for sensor-basedpreprogrammed, and the like, control of the LED lighting facility. Theexternal control source may be generated by a utility company, anetworked software application, and the like. The external controlsource may be communicated wirelessly from a network, through the powerlines, through a wired network connection, and the like. The LEDlighting facility may take the form of a light bulb that mounts into astandard lighting fixture, a lighting fixture, a lighting fixture thathas no electrical connection to AC power, a fluorescent tube, afluorescent lamp, and the like. The energy storage device may be capableof supplying the source of power for the LED lighting facility toprovide power management, where power management may be due to AC powerbeing interrupted, to improve energy efficiency, to provide costsavings, due to a need to reduce energy demand, and the like. The energydemand may be a peak energy demand, at predetermined times, at a timewhen new energy demand may be required at an energy provider, and thelike. In addition there may be an internal control facility utilizing acontrol input from an input device, internal timer, internal clock,internal program, and the like, to manage the power usage. Themanagement of power usage may be through selection of the power source,through control of when a power source may be charging, through theamount of load shared by the power sources, and the like.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 45, a method may provide for the powermanagement in a lighting source, comprising providing an LED lightingfacility 4502, where the LED lighting facility may include an LEDlighting source 4504, an external control device 4508 for communicatingbetween the LED light facility and an external control source 4520, aninternal control facility 4510, an electrical switch condition sensedevice 4512, an energy storage device 4518, and a connection to AC power4514. Power usage may be shifted between the AC power and the energystorage device as controlled by the internal control facility and as aresult of information received from the external control source. Theelectrical switch condition sense device may determine the position ofan electrical switch through electrical impedance sensing of theelectrical switch. In addition there may be an internal control facilityutilizing a control input from an input device, internal timer, internalclock, internal program, and the like, to manage the power usage. Themanagement of power usage may be through selection of the power source,through control of when a power source may be charging, through theamount of load shared by the power sources, and the like. The externalcontrol source may be generated by a utility company, a networkedsoftware application, and the like.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 46, a method may be provided for powermanagement in a lighting source, comprising providing an LED lightingfacility 4602, where the LED lighting facility includes an LED lightingsource 4604, a sensor device 4608, an external control device 4610 forcommunicating between the LED light facility and an external controlsource 4620, an internal control facility 4612, an energy storage device4618, and a connection to AC power 4614. Power usage may be shiftedbetween the AC power and the energy storage device as controlled by theinternal control facility and as a result of information received fromthe external control source. The sensor device may sense IR,temperature, light, motion, acoustic, vibration, and the like. Inaddition there may be an internal control facility utilizing a controlinput from an input device, internal timer, internal clock, internalprogram, and the like, to manage the power usage. The management ofpower usage may be through selection of the power source, throughcontrol of when a power source may be charging, through the amount ofload shared by the power sources. The external control source may begenerated by a utility company, a networked software application, andthe like.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 47, a method may be provided for powermanagement in a lighting source, comprising providing an LED lightingfacility 4702, where the LED lighting facility includes an LED lightingsource 4704, an input device 4708, an internal control facility 4710, anenergy storage device 4714, and a connection to AC power 4712. Powerusage may be shared between the AC power and the energy storage deviceas controlled by the internal control facility and as a result of aprogram resident with the internal control facility and an externalcontrol signal received by the input device. The input device mayreceive a program control input to alter the program. The sharing mayprovide power to the LED lighting facility from both the AC power andthe energy storage device. The external control signal may be generatedby a utility company, a networked software application, and the like.The external control signal may be communicated wirelessly from anetwork, through the power lines, through a wired network connection,and the like. In addition there may be the internal control facilityutilizing a control input from an input device, internal timer, internalclock, internal program, and the like, to manage the power usage. Themanagement of power usage may be through selection of the power source,through control of when a power source may be charging, through theamount of load shared by the power sources, and the like.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 48, a method may be provided for amethod of power management in a lighting source, comprising providing anLED lighting facility 4802, where the LED lighting facility may includean LED lighting source 4804, a sensor device 4808, an external controldevice 4810 for communicating between the LED light facility and anexternal control source 4822, an internal control facility 4812, anetwork interface 4814, an energy storage device 4820, and a connectionto AC power 4818. Power usage may be shifted between the AC power andthe energy storage device as controlled by the internal control facilityand as a result of information received from the external controlsource. The sensor device may sense IR, temperature, light, motion,acoustic, vibration, and the like. In addition there may be an internalcontrol facility utilizing a control input from an input device,internal timer, internal clock, internal program, and the like, tomanage the power usage. The management of power usage may be throughselection of the power source, through control of when a power sourcemay be charging, through the amount of load shared by the power sources,and the like. The external control source may be generated by a utilitycompany, a networked software application, and the like. The networkinterface may be a wireless network interface, wired network interface,interface to the Internet, local area network interface, and the like.The network may be embodied by a network of appliances, where at leastone appliance in the network may be an LED lighting facility. The LEDlighting facility may receive control and programming over the network.The LED lighting facility may receive data destined for another LEDlighting facility or the external control device and may transmit datato route or forward that data through the network to the destination LEDlighting facility or external control device.

In embodiments, the present invention may provide for a remote controlwireless LED light bulb. As shown in FIG. 49, a lighting system may beprovided, comprising a wireless LED lighting facility 4902 containing anLED lighting source 4904, a light sensor input device 4908, an internalrechargeable energy storage device 4912, and a control facility 4910 formanipulating the light output of the LED lighting source, where thewireless LED lighting facility may be powered by the internalrechargeable energy storage device. A housing 4914 may be provided forthe wireless LED lighting facility that takes the form of a light bulbthat mounts into a standard lighting fixture. The light sensor inputdevice may provide a measurement of the amount of ambient light in anarea. The wireless LED lighting facility may take the form of a lightbulb that mounts into a standard lighting fixture, a fluorescent tubethat mounts into a standard fluorescent lighting fixture, a fluorescentlamp that mounts into a standard lighting fixture or a standardfluorescent lighting fixture, and the like. The LED lighting facilitymay take the form of battery powered lighting fixture. The wireless LEDlighting facility may be provided AC power to recharge the internalrechargeable energy storage device through a wired AC connection of thestandard lighting fixture. The wireless LED lighting facility may beprovided DC power to recharge the internal rechargeable energy storagedevice through a wired DC connection of the standard lighting fixture.The wireless LED lighting facility may be removed from the standardlighting fixture to become a portable wireless LED lighting facility.The input device may be an energy input device that provides energy torecharge the internal rechargeable energy storage device. The inputdevice may be a solar cell, wind turbine, and the like. The controlfacility may utilize a control input from an input device, internaltimer, internal clock, internal program, and the like, to manipulate thelight output of the LED lighting source. The control input may be thereading of the ambient light level from the light sensor. The lightoutput of the LED light source may be manipulated to maintain a constantvalue of light intensity based on the measurement of ambient light levelplus light output level. The control facility may select a power sourcefrom between AC power and the rechargeable energy storage device. Thecontrol facility may control when the rechargeable energy storage deviceis charging. The control facility may control how power is sharedbetween the rechargeable energy storage device and AC power. Themanipulating may be switching on the light output, changing theillumination level of the light output, flashing the light output,changing the color content of the light output, and the like. Inaddition there may be a remote control facility.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 50, a lighting system may be provided,comprising a wireless LED lighting facility 5002 containing an LEDlighting source 5004, a sensor input 5008, a control input device 5010,an internal energy storage device 5014, and a programmable controlfacility 5012 for manipulating the light output of the LED lightingsource. A housing 5018 may be provided for the wireless LED lightingfacility that takes the form of a light bulb that mounts into a standardlighting fixture. The wireless LED lighting facility may take the formof a light bulb that mounts into a standard lighting fixture, afluorescent tube that mounts into a standard fluorescent lightingfixture, a fluorescent lamp that mounts into a standard lighting fixtureor a standard fluorescent lighting fixture, and the like. Theprogrammable control facility may be programmed through the controlinput device. The input device may be a remote control, a wireless inputdevice, a network input device, and the like. The programmable controlfacility may utilize the sensor input in programmable control. Aprogrammability of the programmable control facility may be through theuser. The programmable control facility may incorporate learned behavioras part of its operational control. The control input device may be aremote control input device. The sensor device may sense IR,temperature, light, motion, acoustic, vibration, and the like.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 51, a lighting system may be provided,comprising a wireless LED lighting facility 5102 containing an LEDlighting source 5104, an impedance sensing device 5108, an control inputdevice 5110, an internal energy storage device 5114, and a programmablecontrol facility 5112 for manipulating the light output of the LEDlighting source. A housing 5118 may be provided for the wireless LEDlighting facility that takes the form of a light bulb that mounts into astandard lighting fixture. The wireless LED lighting facility may takethe form of a light bulb that mounts into a standard lighting fixture, afluorescent tube that mounts into a standard fluorescent lightingfixture, a fluorescent lamp that mounts into a standard lighting fixtureor a standard fluorescent lighting fixture, and the like. Theprogrammable control facility may be programmed through the controlinput device. The input device may be a remote control, a wireless inputdevice, a network input device, and the like. The programmable controlfacility may utilize the sensor input. A programmability of theprogrammable control facility may be through the user. The programmablecontrol facility may incorporate learned behavior as part of itsoperational control. The control input device may be a remote controlinput device. The sensor device may sense IR, temperature, light,motion, acoustic, vibration, and the like.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 52, a system may be provided for powermanagement of a lighting facility 5202, comprising an LED lightingsource 5204, a remote control input device 5208 for communicatingbetween the lighting facility and a user, an input device 5210 forreceiving information to aid in the power management of the lightingfacility, a programmable control facility 5212 for manipulating thelight output of the lighting source to decrease the energy usage of thelighting facility, and a source of power 5214 for the LED lightingfacility, where the lighting facility may include the LED lightingsource, the remote control input device, the control facility, and thesource of power. The programmable control facility may utilize a controlinput from an input device, internal timer, internal clock, internalprogram, learned behavior, and the like, to manipulate the light outputof the LED lighting source. The decrease in energy usage may be due toan increase in energy efficiency. The decrease in energy usage may bedue to a change in an energy usage profile of the LED lighting facility.The energy usage profile may be energy usage of the LED lightingfacility over time. The change in an energy usage profile may be due toan input from the input device. The input may be a sensor input, acontrol signal from a user, a control signal from a network, a signalfrom a second LED lighting facility, and the like. The LED lightingfacility may take the form of a light bulb that mounts into a standardlighting fixture. The LED lighting facility may take the form of a lightbulb that mounts into a standard lighting fixture, a fluorescent tubethat mounts into a standard fluorescent lighting fixture, a fluorescentlamp that mounts into a standard lighting fixture or a standardfluorescent lighting fixture, and the like. The LED lighting facilitymay take the form of a lighting fixture. The lighting fixture may haveno electrical connection to AC power. The lighting facility may take theform of battery powered lighting fixture. The source of power may be ACpower. The source of power may be DC power. The source of power may be arechargeable energy storage device that may be internal to the LEDlighting facility. The rechargeable energy storage device may be abattery, fuel cell, super capacitor, and the like. The source of powermay be AC or DC power, where the AC or DC power provides charge to arechargeable energy storage device integrated within the LED lightingfacility. The rechargeable energy storage device may be capable ofsupplying the source of power for the LED lighting facility if AC powermay be interrupted. The input device may be a control input device,including an RF receiver for remote control signal input, IR receiverfor remote control signal input, wireless communications receiver, awireless communications transceiver, a wireless network interfacedevice, a sensor (such as an IR, temperature, motion, acoustic,vibration, sensor), a switch, an electrical power condition sensedevice, and the like. The input device may be an energy input device,including a solar cell, wind turbine, and the like.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 53, a lighting system may be provided,comprising a wireless LED lighting facility 5302 containing an LEDlighting source 5304, a energy harvesting input device 5308, an internalrechargeable energy storage device 5314, a control input device 5310 anda control facility 5312 for manipulating the light output of the LEDlighting source, where the wireless LED lighting facility may be poweredby the internal rechargeable energy storage device which is recharged bythe energy harvesting input device. A housing 5318 may be provided forthe wireless LED lighting facility that takes the form of a light bulbthat mounts into a standard lighting fixture. The wireless LED lightingfacility may take the form of a light bulb that mounts into a standardlighting fixture, a fluorescent tube that mounts into a standardfluorescent lighting fixture, a fluorescent lamp that mounts into astandard lighting fixture or a standard fluorescent lighting fixture,and the like. The energy harvesting input device may be a solar cell, adevice that capture radio frequency energy, a device that convertskinetic energy to electrical energy, a device that converts thermalenergy to electrical energy, a device that converts wind to electricalenergy, and the like. The wireless LED lighting facility may be providedpower to recharge the internal rechargeable energy storage devicethrough the energy harvesting input device. The wireless LED lightingfacility may be removed from the standard lighting fixture to become aportable wireless LED lighting facility. The input device may be anenergy input device that provides energy to recharge the internalrechargeable energy storage device. The input device may be a solarcell, wind turbine, and the like. The control input device may be aremote control input device. The control input device may be a sensordevice that senses IR, temperature, light, motion, acoustic, vibration,and the like. The control facility may utilize a control input from aninput device, internal timer, internal clock, internal program, and thelike, to manipulate the light output of the LED lighting source. Thecontrol facility may select a power source from between energyharvesting power source and the rechargeable energy storage device. Thecontrol facility may controls when the rechargeable energy storagedevice is charging. The control facility may control how power may beshared between the rechargeable energy storage device and energyharvesting power source. The manipulating may be switching on the lightoutput, changing the illumination level of the light output, flashingthe light output, changing the color content of the light output, andthe like. The control input device may be a remote control input device.The control input device may be a sensor device that senses IR,temperature, light, motion, acoustic, vibration, and the like.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 54, a system may be provided for powermanagement of a lighting facility 5402, comprising an LED lightingsource 5404, a remote control input device 5408 for communicatingbetween the lighting facility and a user, an input device 5410 forreceiving information to aid in the power management of the lightingfacility, a programmable control facility 5412 for manipulating thelight output of the lighting source to decrease the energy usage of thelighting facility, where the program of the programmable controlfacility utilizes learned behavior in executing control. A source ofpower 5414 may be provided for the LED lighting facility, where thelighting facility includes the LED lighting source, the remote controlinput device, the input device, the programmable control facility, andthe source of power. The learned behavior may be behavior learned frominputs to at least one of the remote control input device and the inputdevice. The learned behavior may be incorporated into a program uploadedto the programmable control facility. The programmable control facilityutilizes a control input from an input device, internal timer, internalclock, internal program, learned behavior, and the like, to manipulatethe light output of the LED lighting source. The decrease in energyusage may be due to an increase in energy efficiency. The decrease inenergy usage may be due to a change in an energy usage profile of theLED lighting facility. The energy usage profile may be energy usage ofthe LED lighting facility over time. The change in an energy usageprofile may be due to an input from the input device. The input may be asensor input, a control signal from a user, a control signal from anetwork, a second LED lighting facility, and the like. The input devicemay be a control input device, including an RF receiver for remotecontrol signal input, IR receiver for remote control signal input,wireless communications receiver, a wireless communications transceiver,a wireless network interface device, a sensor (e.g. IR, temperature,motion, acoustic, vibration sensor), a switch, an electrical powercondition sense device, and the like.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 55, a lighting system may be provided,comprising a wireless LED lighting facility 5502 containing an LEDlighting source 5504, a motion sensor 5508, an internal rechargeableenergy storage device, an AC power connection, and a control facility,where the control facility 5510 may be programmable. A housing 5514 maybe provided for the wireless LED lighting facility that takes the formof a light bulb that mounts into a standard lighting fixture, whereinthe source of power 5512 to the wireless lighting facility may bedetermined through programming in the control facility. The light bulbmay take the form of a standard light bulb, where a standard light bulbmay be at least one of a standard size light bulb, such as a PAR30,PAR38, A19, R30, MR16, and the like. The programmability may be throughswitches integrated with the housing. The programmability may be storedin a program internal to the LED lighting facility. The programmabilitymay enable the LED lighting facility to operate as a smart night lightthat may have multiple light intensity levels as determined byprogramming. The programmability may control the source of power. Thesource of power may be a shared power between the internal rechargeableenergy storage device and the AC power. The determining may beautomatic.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 56, a system may be provided for powermanagement of a lighting facility 5602, comprising an LED lightingsource 5604, a remote control input device 5608 for communicatingbetween the lighting facility and a user, an input device 5610 forreceiving information to aid in the power management of the lightingfacility, a programmable control facility 5612 for manipulating thelight output of the lighting source to decrease the cost of using thelighting facility, where the program of the programmable controlfacility utilizes learned behavior in executing control. A source ofpower 5614 may be provided for the LED lighting facility, where thelighting facility may include the LED lighting source, the remotecontrol input device, the input device, the programmable controlfacility, and the source of power. The learned behavior may be behaviorlearned from inputs to at least one of the remote control input deviceand the input device. The learned behavior may be incorporated into aprogram uploaded to the programmable control facility.

In embodiments, the present invention may provide a wireless networkedLED light with sensor-based control. As shown in FIG. 57, a system maybe provided for coordinating the operation of a plurality of wirelesslighting sources, comprising a first of a plurality of wireless LEDlighting facilities 5702 containing an LED lighting source 5704, asensor-based input device 5708, an external data communicationsinterface 5710, a power source 5714, and a control facility 5712 formanipulating the light output of the LED lighting source, where themanipulating may be in part determined by data received from a second ofthe plurality of wireless LED lighting facilities 5720 through theexternal data communications interface. A housing 5718 may be providedfor each of the plurality of wireless LED lighting facilities that takesthe form of a light bulb that mounts into a standard lighting fixture.The wireless LED lighting facility may take the form of a light bulbthat mounts into a standard lighting fixture, a fluorescent tube thatmounts into a standard fluorescent lighting fixture, a fluorescent lampthat mounts into a standard lighting fixture or a standard fluorescentlighting fixture, and the like. The power source may be AC power throughthe standard lighting fixture. The wireless LED lighting facility maytake the form of a lighting fixture. The power source may be AC powerhardwired to the lighting fixture. The wireless LED lighting facilitymay take the form of battery powered lighting fixture. The power sourcemay be an internal energy storage device. The energy storage device maybe a battery. The energy storage device may be a rechargeable energystorage device. The rechargeable energy storage device may be rechargedby an AC power connection through the standard lighting fixture.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 58, a system may be provided forcoordinating the operation of a plurality of wireless lighting sources,comprising a first of a plurality of wireless LED lighting facilities5802 containing an LED lighting source 5804, a sensor-based input device5808, an electric switch condition sense device 5820, an external datacommunications interface 5810, a power source 5814, and a controlfacility 5812 for manipulating the light output of the LED lightingsource, where the manipulating may be in part determined by datareceived from a second of the plurality of LED lighting facilities 5822through the external data communications interface. A housing 5818 maybe provided for each of the plurality of wireless LED lighting facilitythat may take the form of a light bulb that mounts into a standardlighting fixture. The wireless LED lighting facility may take the formof a light bulb that mounts into a standard lighting fixture, afluorescent tube that mounts into a standard fluorescent lightingfixture, a fluorescent lamp that mounts into a standard lighting fixtureor a standard fluorescent lighting fixture, and the like. The wirelessLED lighting facility may take the form of a lighting fixture. The powersource may be AC power hardwired to the lighting fixture. The electricalswitch condition sense device may determine the position of anelectrical switch through electrical impedance sensing of the electricalswitch. The control facility may manipulate the LED lighting source as aresult of the electrical impedance sensing.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 59, a system may be provided forcoordinating the operation of a plurality of wireless lighting sources,comprising a first of a plurality of networked wireless LED lightingfacilities 5902 each containing an LED lighting source 5904, asensor-based input device 5908, an external data communicationsinterface 5910, a power source 5914, and a control facility 5912 formanipulating the light output of the LED lighting source, where themanipulating may be determined by a combination of environmental sensinginput by the sensor-based input device, information received from asecond of the plurality of networked wireless LED lighting facilities5920, and data received from an outside control source. A housing 5918may be provided for each of the plurality of wireless LED lightingfacility that may take the form of a light bulb that mounts into astandard lighting fixture. The wireless LED lighting facility may takethe form of a light bulb that mounts into a standard lighting fixture, afluorescent tube that mounts into a standard fluorescent lightingfixture, a fluorescent lamp that mounts into a standard lighting fixtureor a standard fluorescent lighting fixture, and the like. The powersource may be AC power through the standard lighting fixture. Thewireless LED lighting facility may take the form of a lighting fixture.The power source may be AC power hardwired to the lighting fixture. Thewireless LED lighting facility may take the form of battery poweredlighting fixture. The outside control source may be a network. Thenetwork may be embodied in a network of appliances, where at least oneappliance may be a lighting facility. The networked wireless LEDlighting facility may receive control and programming over the network.The LED lighting facility may receive data destined for anothernetworked wireless LED lighting facility or other device connected tothe network and may transmit data to route or forward that data throughthe network to the destination LED lighting facility or other device.The networked wireless LED lighting facility may contain the next hoprouting information in memory such that it may be able to propagate datathrough the network to the destination for the data even if it is notdirectly connected to the destination.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 60, an LED illumination system 6002 maybe provided, comprising an LED light source 6004 mounted within ahousing 6014, where the LED may be positioned to provide illuminationfrom the housing, a transceiver 6010 associated with the housing suchthat the transceiver can receive and transmit wireless control signalsfrom and to external sources 6018, a wireless power system 6012 forpowering the LED illumination system, and a processor 6008, coupled tothe transceiver, for interpreting received wireless control signals froma controller external source and transmitting wireless control signalsfor another LED illumination systems in accordance with the receivedwireless control signals.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 61, an LED illumination system 6102 maybe provided, comprising an LED light source 6104 mounted within ahousing 6114, where the LEDs are positioned to provide illumination fromthe housing; a receiver 6112 associated with the housing such that thereceiver can receive wireless control signals from an external source6122, where the control signals control a function of the LEDillumination system. A wireless power system 6118 may be provided forpowering the LED illumination system. A sensor 6108 may be provided formonitoring an environmental condition and controlling the function ofthe LED illumination system, where the wireless power system includes acircuit to periodically cycle 6120 the power of the receiver during asleep period to increase the lifespan of the wireless power system. Inaddition there may be a processor for keeping a time of day, wherein theprocessor uses the time of day to regulate the power provided by thewireless power system. There may be a memory location for storing avalue reflective of an LED illumination system auto shut-off period,wherein the value may be set by measuring a duration that a set controlsignal may be received by the receiver. There may be a memory locationfor storing a value reflective of an LED illumination system autoshut-off period, wherein the value may be set by measuring availablepower from the wireless power system. There may be a processor, coupledto the receiver, for interpreting the wireless control signals from theexternal source for a channel indication, wherein if the channelindication indicates that the wireless control signals are intended forthe LED illumination system, the processor will control the LEDillumination system in accordance with the wireless control signals.There may be a processor, coupled to the transceiver, for interpretingreceived wireless control signals from a controller external source andtransmitting wireless control signals for another LED illuminationsystems in accordance with the received wireless control signals.

In embodiments, the present invention may provide a centralized poweroutage bridging to a networked lighting system. As shown in FIG. 62, asystem may be provided for power outage management for a plurality oflighting sources, comprising at least one of a plurality of lightingfacilities 6202 containing an LED lighting source 6204, a sensor inputdevice 6208, a power outage input device 6212, a power source 6214, anda control facility 6210 for manipulating the light output of the LEDlighting source, where the lighting facility provides light in responseto a signal received by the power outage input device indicating a poweroutage and an environmental input from the sensor input device. Thesignal may be transmitted from a centralized controller. The centralizedcontroller may be a power outage module monitoring power at some pointin power distribution to detect a disruption in power. The power outagemodule may plug into an AC outlet and monitor power at the outlet todetermine if there is a disruption in AC power. The power outage modulemay communicate wirelessly to one or more lighting facilities. The oneor more lighting facilities may contain a wireless receiver to receivecommands from the power outage module. The centralized controller may berunning a software control program. The signal may be received from aweb-based source. The web-based source may be on a local network, on theinternet, and the like. The power source may be an energy storage deviceintegrated with each of the lighting facilities that may be capable ofsupplying power to the lighting facility independent of the AC power,and where the recharging may be provided internal to the lightingfacility at a time when the AC power may be available. The lightingfacility may be disconnected from the AC power and used as a portablelighting device. The energy storage device may be a rechargeable energystorage device. The rechargeable energy storage device internal to thelighting facility may be a battery, fuel cell, super capacitor, and thelike. The lighting facility may take the form of a light bulb thatmounts into a standard lighting fixture, of a lighting fixture, of aretrofit light bulb, of a retrofit lighting fixture, of battery poweredlighting fixture, and the like. The sensor may sense IR, temperature,light, motion, acoustic, vibration, and the like. The manipulating maybe switching on the light output, changing the illumination level of thelight output, flashing the light output, changing the color content ofthe light output, and the like.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 63, a system may be provided for poweroutage management for a plurality of lighting sources, comprising atleast one of a plurality of lighting facilities 6302 containing an LEDlighting source 6304, an electric switch condition sense device 6308, apower outage input device 6312, a power source 6314, and a controlfacility 6310 for manipulating the light output of the LED lightingsource, where the lighting facility provides light in response to asignal received by the power outage input device indicating a poweroutage and an input from the electric switch condition sense device. Theelectrical switch condition sense device may determine the position ofan electrical switch through electrical impedance sensing of theelectrical switch. The control facility may manipulate the LED lightingsource as a result of the electrical impedance sensing. There may be anelectrical switch condition sensing capability in the power outagemodule to determine the position of an electrical switch throughelectrical impedance sensing of the circuit it is connected to. Thepower outage module may manipulate the LED lighting source as a resultof the electrical impedance sensing.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 64, a system may be provided for poweroutage management for a plurality of lighting sources, comprising atleast one of a plurality of lighting facilities 6402 containing an LEDlighting source 6404, a sensor input device 6408, a connection to anexternal emergency lighting system 6414, a power source 6412, and acontrol facility 6410 for manipulating the light output of the LEDlighting source, where the lighting facility provides light in responseto a signal received by the power external emergency lighting systemindicating a power outage and an environmental input from the sensorinput device. The signal may be transmitted from a centralizedcontroller. The centralized controller may be an emergency lightingsystem module monitoring a command from the emergency lighting system toswitchover to emergency power. The emergency lighting system module maycommunicate wirelessly to one or more lighting facilities. The one ormore lighting facilities may contain a wireless receiver to receivecommands from the emergency lighting system module.

In embodiments, the present invention may provide a sensor-basedwirelessly controlled LED light bulb. As shown in FIG. 65, an LEDillumination system 6502 may be provided, comprising an LED light source6504 mounted within a housing 6512, where the LEDs are positioned toprovide illumination from the housing, a receiver 6510 associated withthe housing such that the receiver can receive wireless control signalsfrom an external source 6514, where the control signals control afunction of the LED illumination system. A sensor 6508 may be providedfor monitoring an environmental condition and controlling the functionof the LED illumination system. In addition there may be a processor,coupled to the receiver, for interpreting the wireless control signalsfrom the external source for a channel indication, where if the channelindication indicates that the wireless control signals are intended forthe LED illumination system, the processor will control the LEDillumination system in accordance with the wireless control signals.There may be a remote sensor transmitter that may transmit sensorinformation to the illumination system. The remote sensor may sense IR,temperature, light, motion, acoustic, vibration, and the like. Thesensor may be a motion sensor that transmits to the illumination systemwhen motion may be detected. The sensor may be a light sensor thattransmits the detected light level to the illumination system. The lightoutput of the LED light source may be manipulated to maintain a constantvalue of light intensity based on the measurement of ambient light levelplus light output level. The light sensor may be used to provide aregular update of ambient light level to manipulate the light output.The light sensor may be used to calibrate the light output of the LEDlight source where the remote light sensor does not have to be presentto maintain the calibrated light output level. The LED illuminationsystem may receive power via a standard light fixture. The controlfacility may control the amount of power drawn from the standard lightfixture.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 66, a lighting system may be provided,comprising a wireless LED lighting facility 6602 containing an LEDlighting source 6604, a light sensor input device 6608, and a controlfacility 6610 for manipulating the light output of the LED lightingsource, where the wireless LED lighting facility receives power via astandard light fixture. A housing 6612 may be provided for the wirelessLED lighting facility that takes the form of a light bulb that mountsinto a standard lighting fixture 6614. The light sensor input device mayprovide a measurement of the amount of ambient light in an area. Thelight bulb may take the form of a standard light bulb, where a standardlight bulb may be at least one of a standard size light bulb, such as aPAR30, PAR38, A19, R30, MR16, and the like. The light bulb may take theform of a non standard light bulb, where a non standard light bulb maybe any size or shape of bulb for custom application. The light bulb maytake the form of a fluorescent tube, a fluorescent lamp, and the like.The control facility may utilize a control input from an input device,internal timer, internal clock, internal program, and the like, tomanipulate the light output of the LED lighting source. The controlinput may be the reading of the ambient light level from the lightsensor. The light output of the LED light source may be manipulated tomaintain a constant value of light intensity based on the measurement ofambient light level plus light output level. The control facility maycontrol the amount of power drawn from the standard light fixture. Themanipulating may be switching on the light output, changing theillumination level of the light output, flashing the light output,changing the color content of the light output, and the like.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 67, a lighting system may be provided,comprising a wireless LED lighting facility 6702 containing an LEDlighting source 6704, and a control facility 6708, where the controlfacility may be programmable. A housing 6712 may be provided for thewireless LED lighting facility that takes the form of a light bulb thatmounts into a standard lighting fixture 6714. In addition, there may bean input device. The input device may be a sensor device. The sensordevice may sense IR, temperature, light, motion, acoustic, vibration,and the like. The input device may be a switch, pushbutton, dial, a knobon the housing, and the like. The programmability may be throughswitches integrated with the housing. The programmability may be storedin a program internal to the LED lighting facility. The light bulb maytake the form of a standard light bulb, where a standard light bulb maybe at least one of a standard size light bulb, such as a PAR30, PAR38,A19, R30, MR16, and the like. The light bulb may take the form of a nonstandard light bulb, where a non standard light bulb may be any size orshape of bulb for custom application. The light bulb may take the formof a fluorescent tube, a fluorescent lamp, and the like. The lightingsystem may receive power via a standard light fixture. The controlfacility may have an internal timer, time of day clock, and the like.The schedule of manipulating the light output may be stored in theinternal program. The control facility may take input from a lightsensor input device sensing the level of ambient light. The light outputof the LED light source may be manipulated to maintain a constant valueof light intensity based on the measurement of ambient light level pluslight output level. The manipulating of the light output may beconfigured by switches on the housing. The control facility may controlthe amount of power drawn from the standard light fixture. The controlfacility may manipulate the light output of the LED lighting sourcewhere the manipulating may be switching on the light output, changingthe illumination level of the light output, flashing the light output,changing the color content of the light output, and the like.

The methods and systems described herein may be deployed in part or inwhole through a machine that executes computer software, program codes,and/or instructions on a processor. The present invention may beimplemented as a method on the machine, as a system or apparatus as partof or in relation to the machine, or as a computer program productembodied in a computer readable medium executing on one or more of themachines. The processor may be part of a server, client, networkinfrastructure, mobile computing platform, stationary computingplatform, or other computing platform. A processor may be any kind ofcomputational or processing device capable of executing programinstructions, codes, binary instructions and the like. The processor maybe or include a signal processor, digital processor, embedded processor,microprocessor or any variant such as a co-processor (math co-processor,graphic co-processor, communication co-processor and the like) and thelike that may directly or indirectly facilitate execution of programcode or program instructions stored thereon. In addition, the processormay enable execution of multiple programs, threads, and codes. Thethreads may be executed simultaneously to enhance the performance of theprocessor and to facilitate simultaneous operations of the application.By way of implementation, methods, program codes, program instructionsand the like described herein may be implemented in one or more thread.The thread may spawn other threads that may have assigned prioritiesassociated with them; the processor may execute these threads based onpriority or any other order based on instructions provided in theprogram code. The processor may include memory that stores methods,codes, instructions and programs as described herein and elsewhere. Theprocessor may access a storage medium through an interface that maystore methods, codes, and instructions as described herein andelsewhere. The storage medium associated with the processor for storingmethods, programs, codes, program instructions or other type ofinstructions capable of being executed by the computing or processingdevice may include but may not be limited to one or more of a CD-ROM,DVD, memory, hard disk, flash drive, RAM, ROM, cache and the like.

A processor may include one or more cores that may enhance speed andperformance of a multiprocessor. In embodiments, the process may be adual core processor, quad core processors, other chip-levelmultiprocessor and the like that combine two or more independent cores(called a die).

The methods and systems described herein may be deployed in part or inwhole through a machine that executes computer software on a server,client, firewall, gateway, hub, router, or other such computer and/ornetworking hardware. The software program may be associated with aserver that may include a file server, print server, domain server,internet server, intranet server and other variants such as secondaryserver, host server, distributed server and the like. The server mayinclude one or more of memories, processors, computer readable media,storage media, ports (physical and virtual), communication devices, andinterfaces capable of accessing other servers, clients, machines, anddevices through a wired or a wireless medium, and the like. The methods,programs or codes as described herein and elsewhere may be executed bythe server. In addition, other devices required for execution of methodsas described in this application may be considered as a part of theinfrastructure associated with the server.

The server may provide an interface to other devices including, withoutlimitation, clients, other servers, printers, database servers, printservers, file servers, communication servers, distributed servers andthe like. Additionally, this coupling and/or connection may facilitateremote execution of program across the network. The networking of someor all of these devices may facilitate parallel processing of a programor method at one or more location without deviating from the scope ofthe invention. In addition, any of the devices attached to the serverthrough an interface may include at least one storage medium capable ofstoring methods, programs, code and/or instructions. A centralrepository may provide program instructions to be executed on differentdevices. In this implementation, the remote repository may act as astorage medium for program code, instructions, and programs.

The software program may be associated with a client that may include afile client, print client, domain client, internet client, intranetclient and other variants such as secondary client, host client,distributed client and the like. The client may include one or more ofmemories, processors, computer readable media, storage media, ports(physical and virtual), communication devices, and interfaces capable ofaccessing other clients, servers, machines, and devices through a wiredor a wireless medium, and the like. The methods, programs or codes asdescribed herein and elsewhere may be executed by the client. Inaddition, other devices required for execution of methods as describedin this application may be considered as a part of the infrastructureassociated with the client.

The client may provide an interface to other devices including, withoutlimitation, servers, other clients, printers, database servers, printservers, file servers, communication servers, distributed servers andthe like. Additionally, this coupling and/or connection may facilitateremote execution of program across the network. The networking of someor all of these devices may facilitate parallel processing of a programor method at one or more location without deviating from the scope ofthe invention. In addition, any of the devices attached to the clientthrough an interface may include at least one storage medium capable ofstoring methods, programs, applications, code and/or instructions. Acentral repository may provide program instructions to be executed ondifferent devices. In this implementation, the remote repository may actas a storage medium for program code, instructions, and programs.

The methods and systems described herein may be deployed in part or inwhole through network infrastructures. The network infrastructure mayinclude elements such as computing devices, servers, routers, hubs,firewalls, clients, personal computers, communication devices, routingdevices and other active and passive devices, modules and/or componentsas known in the art. The computing and/or non-computing device(s)associated with the network infrastructure may include, apart from othercomponents, a storage medium such as flash memory, buffer, stack, RAM,ROM and the like. The processes, methods, program codes, instructionsdescribed herein and elsewhere may be executed by one or more of thenetwork infrastructural elements.

The methods, program codes, and instructions described herein andelsewhere may be implemented on a cellular network having multiplecells. The cellular network may either be frequency division multipleaccess (FDMA) network or code division multiple access (CDMA) network.The cellular network may include mobile devices, cell sites, basestations, repeaters, antennas, towers, and the like. The cell networkmay be a GSM, GPRS, 3G, EVDO, mesh, or other networks types.

The methods, programs codes, and instructions described herein andelsewhere may be implemented on or through mobile devices. The mobiledevices may include navigation devices, cell phones, mobile phones,mobile personal digital assistants, laptops, palmtops, netbooks, pagers,electronic books readers, music players and the like. These devices mayinclude, apart from other components, a storage medium such as a flashmemory, buffer, RAM, ROM and one or more computing devices. Thecomputing devices associated with mobile devices may be enabled toexecute program codes, methods, and instructions stored thereon.Alternatively, the mobile devices may be configured to executeinstructions in collaboration with other devices. The mobile devices maycommunicate with base stations interfaced with servers and configured toexecute program codes. The mobile devices may communicate on a peer topeer network, mesh network, or other communications network. The programcode may be stored on the storage medium associated with the server andexecuted by a computing device embedded within the server. The basestation may include a computing device and a storage medium. The storagedevice may store program codes and instructions executed by thecomputing devices associated with the base station.

The computer software, program codes, and/or instructions may be storedand/or accessed on machine readable media that may include: computercomponents, devices, and recording media that retain digital data usedfor computing for some interval of time; semiconductor storage known asrandom access memory (RAM); mass storage typically for more permanentstorage, such as optical discs, forms of magnetic storage like harddisks, tapes, drums, cards and other types; processor registers, cachememory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory; optical storage such asCD, DVD; removable media such as flash memory (e.g. USB sticks or keys),floppy disks, magnetic tape, paper tape, punch cards, standalone RAMdisks, ZIP drives, removable mass storage, off-line, and the like; othercomputer memory such as dynamic memory, static memory, read/writestorage, mutable storage, read only, random access, sequential access,location addressable, file addressable, content addressable, networkattached storage, storage area network, bar codes, magnetic ink, and thelike.

The methods and systems described herein may transform physical and/oror intangible items from one state to another. The methods and systemsdescribed herein may also transform data representing physical and/orintangible items from one state to another.

The elements described and depicted herein, including in flow charts andblock diagrams throughout the figures, imply logical boundaries betweenthe elements. However, according to software or hardware engineeringpractices, the depicted elements and the functions thereof may beimplemented on machines through computer executable media having aprocessor capable of executing program instructions stored thereon as amonolithic software structure, as standalone software modules, or asmodules that employ external routines, code, services, and so forth, orany combination of these, and all such implementations may be within thescope of the present disclosure. Examples of such machines may include,but may not be limited to, personal digital assistants, laptops,personal computers, mobile phones, other handheld computing devices,medical equipment, wired or wireless communication devices, transducers,chips, calculators, satellites, tablet PCs, electronic books, gadgets,electronic devices, devices having artificial intelligence, computingdevices, networking equipments, servers, routers and the like.Furthermore, the elements depicted in the flow chart and block diagramsor any other logical component may be implemented on a machine capableof executing program instructions. Thus, while the foregoing drawingsand descriptions set forth functional aspects of the disclosed systems,no particular arrangement of software for implementing these functionalaspects should be inferred from these descriptions unless explicitlystated or otherwise clear from the context. Similarly, it will beappreciated that the various steps identified and described above may bevaried, and that the order of steps may be adapted to particularapplications of the techniques disclosed herein. All such variations andmodifications are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure.As such, the depiction and/or description of an order for various stepsshould not be understood to require a particular order of execution forthose steps, unless required by a particular application, or explicitlystated or otherwise clear from the context.

The methods and/or processes described above, and steps thereof, may berealized in hardware, software or any combination of hardware andsoftware suitable for a particular application. The hardware may includea general purpose computer and/or dedicated computing device or specificcomputing device or particular aspect or component of a specificcomputing device. The processes may be realized in one or moremicroprocessors, microcontrollers, embedded microcontrollers,programmable digital signal processors or other programmable device,along with internal and/or external memory. The processes may also, orinstead, be embodied in an application specific integrated circuit, aprogrammable gate array, programmable array logic, or any other deviceor combination of devices that may be configured to process electronicsignals. It will further be appreciated that one or more of theprocesses may be realized as a computer executable code capable of beingexecuted on a machine readable medium.

The computer executable code may be created using a structuredprogramming language such as C, an object oriented programming languagesuch as C++, or any other high-level or low-level programming language(including assembly languages, hardware description languages, anddatabase programming languages and technologies) that may be stored,compiled or interpreted to run on one of the above devices, as well asheterogeneous combinations of processors, processor architectures, orcombinations of different hardware and software, or any other machinecapable of executing program instructions.

Thus, in one aspect, each method described above and combinationsthereof may be embodied in computer executable code that, when executingon one or more computing devices, performs the steps thereof. In anotheraspect, the methods may be embodied in systems that perform the stepsthereof, and may be distributed across devices in a number of ways, orall of the functionality may be integrated into a dedicated, standalonedevice or other hardware. In another aspect, the means for performingthe steps associated with the processes described above may include anyof the hardware and/or software described above. All such permutationsand combinations are intended to fall within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

While the invention has been disclosed in connection with the preferredembodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications andimprovements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled inthe art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention isnot to be limited by the foregoing examples, but is to be understood inthe broadest sense allowable by law.

All documents referenced herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lighting power supply comprising: a power inputadapted to receive power via a power supply circuit, wherein the powersupply circuit is adapted to receive a supply of power from a primarysource of power through a switch and includes a secondary source ofpower; a power output configured to condition power from the secondarysource of power for at least one light emitting diode (LED), the poweroutput comprising one or more of an uninterruptable power sourceinverter, a battery backup power supply, and a LED driver; an impedancesensor configured to generate an output indicative of an impedance,resistance or capacitance associated with the power supply circuit; anda controller configured to: determine an operational state of the switchbased on a comparison of one or more measurements of the output of theimpedance sensor and a threshold impedance, wherein the thresholdimpedance is established by the controller; and cause the power from thesecondary source of power to be supplied to the at least one LED whenpower from the primary source is not present on the power input and thedetermined operational state of the switch indicates that the switch isin a closed state.
 2. The lighting power supply of claim 1, wherein thethreshold impedance is set manually.
 3. The lighting power supply ofclaim 1, wherein establishing the threshold impedance level furtherincludes dynamically setting the threshold impedance value according toat least one measurement relating to the operational state of theswitch.
 4. The lighting power supply of claim 1, wherein the impedancesensor generates the output indicative of an impedance associated withthe power supply circuit as part of a time domain reflectometry process.5. The lighting power supply of claim 1, wherein the secondary source ofpower includes a DC power source.
 6. The lighting power supply of claim5, wherein the DC power source includes at least one of a rechargeablebattery, a non-rechargeable battery, a photovoltaic cell, fuel cell, orsuper capacitor.
 7. The lighting power supply of claim 5, wherein DCpower from the DC power source is converted to AC power to supply powerto the at least one LED.
 8. The lighting power supply of claim 1,wherein the at least one LED is adapted to receive power via the powerinput.
 9. The lighting power supply of claim 1, wherein the lightingpower supply provides power to a bulb, tube, lamp, lighting fixture, orretrofit fixture.
 10. A switch sensing power supply comprising: a powerinput adapted to receive power via a power supply circuit, wherein thepower supply circuit is adapted to receive power from a primary sourceof power through a switch and includes a secondary source of power; apower output configured to condition power from the secondary source ofpower for a device attached to the switch sensing power supply, thepower output comprising one or more of an uninterruptable power sourceinverter, an adapter, a ballast, a battery backup power supply, and alight emitting diode (LED) driver; a housing configured for connectingto the power input and to the device; a sensor configured to generate anoutput indicative of an impedance, resistance or capacitance associatedwith the power supply circuit; and a controller configured to: determinean operational state of the switch based on a comparison of one or moremeasurements of the output of the sensor and a threshold impedance,wherein the threshold impedance is established by the controller; andcause the power from the secondary source of power to be supplied to thedevice when power from the primary source is not present on the powerinput and the determined operational state of the switch indicates thatthe switch is in a closed state.
 11. The switch sensing power supply ofclaim 10, wherein the device is a light source.
 12. The switch sensingpower supply of claim 10, wherein the threshold impedance is set one ofmanually or dynamically.
 13. The switch sensing power supply of claim10, wherein the secondary source of power includes at least one of arechargeable, a non-rechargeable battery, a photovoltaic cell, fuelcell, or super capacitor.
 14. The switch sensing power supply of claim10, wherein the controller is further configured to control charging ofthe at least one rechargeable battery, fuel cell, or super capacitor.15. A lighting adapter comprising: a first connector configured toconnect the adapter to a power supply circuit and a second connectorconfigured to connect a lighting device to the adapter, wherein thefirst connector is configured for mounting to a first Edison socket, andthe second connector includes a second Edison socket; a power inputconfigured to receive power via the power supply circuit through thefirst connector, wherein the power supply circuit is configured toreceive a power from a primary source of power through a switch andincludes a secondary source of power; a power source inverter configuredto condition power from the secondary source of power for the lightingdevice; a sensor configured to sense an impedance, resistance orcapacitance associated with the power supply circuit through the firstconnector and generate an output indicative of the sensed impedance,resistance or capacitance; and a controller configured to: determine anoperational state of the switch based on a comparison of one or moregenerated outputs of the sensor and a threshold impedance, wherein thethreshold impedance is established by the controller; and cause powerfrom the secondary source of power to be supplied to the lighting devicewhen power from the primary source is not present on the power input andthe determined operational state of the switch indicates that the switchis in a closed state, wherein the secondary source includes a battery,and the power source inverter is used to supply power to the lightingdevice.
 16. The lighting adapter of claim 15, wherein the lightingdevice comprises of a bulb, tube, lamp, lighting fixture, or retrofitfixture.
 17. The lighting adapter of claim 15, further comprising arelay configured to switch between the primary source of power and thesecondary source of power to supply power to the lighting device.